ALMENA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A beloved pumpkin patch west of Kalamazoo run for many years by the late “Gene the Pumpkin Man” is reopening.
A ribbon-cutting is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at the farm now dubbed Evans Acres Family Farm on M-43 near S Van Kal Street in Almena Township.
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Gene Rhodes died in December 2024 at the age of 88. For decades, he had welcomed community members to his pumpkin patch, which started as a half-acre.
His family took over the farm and, following a year of preparations, is ready to reopen it. The farm remains decked out in Rhodes’ signature bright orange. It also features goats, and the owners hope to bring in more animals in the future.
The reopening will include some giveaways. The first 10 families in line will get a lifetime pumpkin pass, good for one free pumpkin each year. The next 10 families will get a free orange mum. There will also be a $1 raffle for a giant pumpkin, with tickets available through Saturday and the winner announced Monday…