Poplar Island Pumpkins of Fairmont has invited a few cryptid friends to join in the fall farm festivities.
written by CHRISTY PERRY TUOHEY
SEARCHING FOR A PERFECT, PLUMP HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN? Fairmont’s Poplar Island Pumpkins has plenty of potential jack-o’-lanterns for you to choose from. The farm is also known for its riverside hayrides, sunflower field, and corn maze. And new at the farm this year: cryptid hunting.
Poplar Island is unveiling a Haunted Cryptid Trail for its fall 2024 festivities. Owner Leslie Delapas—an artist when she’s not farming—has created 8-foot paintings of 10 well-known West Virginia cryptids. Those who dare follow the haunted trail will track down Bigfoot, the Grafton and Flatwoods monsters, Veggie Man, and more, all scattered along a wooded half-mile. Visitors will follow a map and score a sticker for each cryptid found along the way.
Pumpkin hunters typically can purchase two large ones for under $20. “Last year, a pick-your-own pumpkin from the patch was $5 per pumpkin,” Delapas says. “We have an array of different types of pumpkins, so those would be priced according to size and type.”
Delapas’ family has owned the farm for generations, and she and her relatives live and work there year-round. Poplar Island Pumpkins is not actually located on an island but runs along the Tygart Valley River on Poplar Island Road. At just under 20 acres, the farm has a grassy area with picnic tables and tents and is dog-friendly for pets on a leash. Delapas says visitors with mobility issues, including those who use wheelchairs, can easily navigate the lawn in dry weather.
Poplar Island Pumpkins opened for the season on September 14, 2024, and is open every weekend through the end of November. Hours are Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Activities, like the Haunted Cryptid Trail, hayride, and corn maze, cost $12 for adults and $10 for kids.
Special events will be scheduled at the farm throughout the Halloween season, including evening screenings of family-friendly movies—titles and times to be announced. 260 Poplar Island Road, Fairmont,
“Poplar Island Pumpkins” on FB
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S FALL 2024 ISSUE
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