The Tolay Lake Regional Park is the new name for the former Cardoza Ranch Pumpkin Farm. The traditional pumpkin patch festivities will continue at the site.
When?:
The Tolay Fall Festival takes place during two long weekends in October for 8 days of fun: October 9 through 12, and October 16 through 19, 2008. They are open from 9am - 3:30pm Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am - 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. (School groups can call 707-565-2041 to schedule field trips.)
Where?:
5869 Lakeville Highway. The park is located on Lakeville Hwy., east of Hwy. 101, at Cannon Lane in Petaluma. It is about midway between the Hwy. 101 turnoff and Hwy. 37. See map.
How Much?:
Free admission. Parking is $5 per car, or free with a Sonoma County Regional Parks annual pass.
Contact:
More About the Tolay Fall Festival:
If you’re one of the many families who had traditionally gone to the Cardoza Ranch Pumpkin Farm each October, fear not. You're ritual will not die.
In 2005, the Cardoza family sold its 1,737-acre Petaluma ranch to the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. The public was thrilled to get such a beautiful piece of property which offers views from Mount. St. Helena to the San Francisco Bay. But, some of us feared that the annual autumn trek to the ranch would come to an end.
Happily, the Sonoma County supervisors decided to continue the tradition. But, there have been a few changes: The pumpkins are no longer being grown at the site and are, instead, brought in. There are no inflatable bouncers for children. Many new activities have been added.
Highlights of the festival include:
- Giant pumpkin patch
- Ranger-led hayrides and nature walks
- Native American Village with demonstrations
- “From Earth to You” hands-on children’s area with plants and animals, games and activities.
- Nighttime Creatures Barn with black light marine life, bats, and an elaborate life-like diorama of mammals found in the area.
-
New This Year:
- World Record Pumpkin Seed-spitting Contest that is open to all
- The Snake-Wrangling Grandma from Sonoma, Barbie Hoffman, who rescues rattlesnakes to support her exotic animal rescue, Leaping Lizard Rescue leapinglizardrescue.com. She will bring many of these live animals to show at the festival.