For many young students in the Bay Area, one of their first Halloween-related memories involves a trip to a pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay. At Spruce Elementary School, it's the pumpkins that come to the students, thanks to the Spruce parent teacher association's (PTA) annual Pumpkin Patch Event.
According to Spruce PTA President Stephanie Cruz, the event was started more than 20 years ago by Mrs. Wendy, a teacher.
"This is a community event," said Cruz. "Students from All Souls [Catholic School] and SSFUSD's Children's Center preschool program join us in the event. I know many children look forward to it; I know my kids do."
The PTA purchases pumpkins from a supplier in Half Moon Bay, and parent volunteers transport the pumpkins to Spruce Elementary.
After arriving at Spruce, the gourds are placed in one of the school's large grassy fields amid decorations provided by teachers.