Fall is here, which means it is time for the V.I. Justice Initiative’s third annual “Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch” from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Magens Bay on St. Thomas, the organization announced.
This event is free, with just the cost of admission to Magens Bay.
The V.I. Justice Initiative is a locally grown legal aid organization planting seeds for community-driven advocacy. Its signature fundraiser brings the community together to celebrate the Virgin Islands’ agricultural roots and farming community. Each year, more than 1,000 people come down for this free event to experience the tractor hayrides, pumpkin patch, farmer’s market, and, for the first time, the V.I. Justice Initiative is bringing locally-grown pumpkins, according to the press release.
Starting at Shed 4, attendees can purchase a $5 ticket to ride the Tractor Hayride through the Coconut Grove. (Kids 10 and under must ride with an adult.) Next, kids can choose the perfect pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch for $15-$20, depending on size, which includes access to a free station for carving or painting. The family will love the Kids’ Zone with a giveaway Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch Coloring and Activity Book, free face painting, and interactive games featuring the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum and Tropical Treasure Hunt, the press release stated.
Lunch will also be available with food trucks Hot on the Spot, Smoke Up VI, and sweet treats from Rudy’s Fraco and Happy Scoops Ice Cream. There will also be a Farmer’s Market and Community Fair featuring goods and produce sold by local farmers, and autumn and pumpkin-themed snacks sold by local vendors. Enjoy music and youth performances throughout the day, the release stated.
Bales of hay will be on sale since The Tractor Hayride and Pumpkin Patch require at least 20 bales of hay. Each bale is $15. Bales of hay can be reserved by calling the V.I. Justice Initiative at 340-774-6504 or purchasing it at Shed 4 during the event. Pick-up for hay bales will be after the event between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. only, it said.
The fundraising goal for this event is $50,000 so that the V.I. Justice Initiative can continue to provide free legal aid and education territory-wide. Thanks to generous sponsors and small individual donors, the VI Justice Initiative has already raised over $42,000 towards its $50,000 goal. All donations received through the purchase of Tractor Hayride tickets, bales of hay, pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch, and donations made at Shed 4 or online will be matched by Alpine up to $5,000, according to the release.
Major sponsors include RapierMed, Perfected Claims, Alpine, International Capitol and Management Company, SmithWilliams PLLC, The Walker Legal Group, Yacht Haven Grande, FirstBank, Merchants Commercial Bank, Magens Bay Authority, St. Thomas Properties, Keswick Insurance, Fairchild Restaurant at Magens, the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, Mr. Happy’s Hauling & E-Waste the Office of Gun Violence and Prevention, Viya and the Source, it said.
For more information about the V.I. Justice Initiative and the third annual “Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch,” visit the website at www.vijustice.org. Contact the V.I. Justice Initiative at 340-774-6504 or info@vijustice.org if there are any questions.
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