GREENWOOD, Texas – The Greenwood Education Foundation hosted its annual Great Pumpkin Patch fall festival on Oct. 9‑10 at J.R. Brooks Middle School, turning a once‑small parking‑lot gathering into a full‑day community celebration.
Attendees enjoyed pumpkin‑themed activities, a petting zoo, movie screenings and a popular pumpkin‑launch area for younger children. “The pumpkin launch is by far the younger kids’ favorite, and as they get a little older they love the pumpkin‑smashing spot,” said Summer Hill, the foundation’s marketing and public‑relations chair.
Volunteers noted that the event has grown dramatically over the past three years, expanding from a modest parking‑lot setup to a two‑day festival with scheduled entertainment and vendor booths. “We have worked hard to bridge the gap between school budgets and classroom needs,” Hill added. “Our grant program has grown significantly over the last three years, and each year this event gets bigger, allowing us to do more for our students.”
All proceeds from the festival are directed to the Greenwood Independent School District. The foundation uses the money to fund student and teacher scholarships as well as classroom grants, helping to offset budget shortfalls and support extracurricular programs.
Local resident Henley Brooks, who attended the festival with family, praised the atmosphere. “I think this festival has been really fun and it really motivates the vibes of Halloween,” Brooks said.
The event’s success would not be possible without community volunteers and local sponsors who contributed time, resources and donations. Hill emphasized the foundation’s commitment to expanding the festival in future years. “We will continue adding activities that people will enjoy coming out for,” she said.
How the Funds Help Greenwood Schools
The Greenwood Education Foundation’s scholarship and grant program provides direct financial assistance to students pursuing higher education and supports teachers in acquiring classroom materials that are not covered by the district budget. By channeling festival proceeds into these programs, the foundation helps maintain a high‑quality educational environment for Greenwood’s children.
Looking Ahead
Organizers plan to build on the festival’s momentum by introducing new attractions and expanding vendor participation. The foundation hopes to make the Great Pumpkin Patch a staple autumn event that brings together families, local businesses and school supporters for years to come.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
