For the first time in 45 years, Pa’s Pumpkin Patch—a staple of the Halloween season in Long Beach—is not opening due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

 

“Sadly, we are not going to be able to open the pumpkin patch this year because of Covid,” the business posted on Facebook Sunday morning. The patch usually opens the last weekend of September.

 

https://www.facebook.com/PasPumpkinPatch/posts/3695583840461467

 

David “Pa” Thacker first opened the pumpkin patch in Long Beach 45 years ago. The business was relocated to its current location in at 6701 E. Pacific Coast Highway on the Long Beach-Seal Beach border 17 years ago.

 

“My husband passed away seven years ago and left us to run it,” Gail Thacker said. “It has been very successful and many people are saddened by the fact that we cannot open this year.”

 

Ted Thacker, the son of David and Gail, also operates Snowy Pines Christmas Trees during the holiday season.

 

“We sure hope to open that this year,” Gail said.