'Tickets are flying': Countdown is on to unique Mayo event

Ballina is counting down to next month's Pumpkin Patch event.

All proceeds from the unique autumnal event will go directly to Ballina’s Christmas Lights Fund and members of the organising comittee are hard at work on the finishing touches.

Dave Breen, a member of the committee, said attendees can expect a family fun day out with lots of photo props, games to play and a pumpkin to take home and carve for each family ticket.

“Everything is coming together now and ticket sales are flying,” he told the Western People. “A lot of the props have been made and the pumpkins have all been sourced. It is taking place on the grounds of the Convent, which was a no-brainer as a location.”

The idea for the Pumpkin Patch came from a conversation held over family dinner and although it sounded like a lofty plan, Dave said it was achievable thanks to the support of volunteers.

“We were having dinners at my parents' place and my brother was telling me they had been to a patch in Galway last year. I was thinking about fundraising ideas at the time and thought, why don’t we try that?

“I did some research and saw what it entailed and with the volunteers we had there, it was very achievable.”

Dave encouraged people to support this special Halloween event as it would, in turn, support the campaign for Christmas Lights.

“Supporting this is going to support buying the lights. We have funding from the Council, which we’re really grateful for, but we need to continue to raise funds to makes this year’s plans a reality,” he said.

The Ballina Pumpkin Patch takes place from Saturday to Monday, October 25 to 27, with multiple time slots throughout the day, including a sensory hour from 9 to 10am for those who prefer a more relaxed setting.

A family of four ticket costs €25 and single tickets are €10, available now on Eventbrite.