T and I made our way out to our local pumpkin patch a bit earlier than usual this year, and it was all because of an unbelievable deal that we just could not pass up.

Pa’s Pumpkin Patch has been our autumn fun-time destination spot for five years running now, and thanks to a great deal we got from Groupon, T was able to extend the fun for even longer during our last outing than we’d usually stay. For just $15, he got a wristband that allowed for unlimited rides all day with in and out privileges (exclusions of no carnival games and restricted to one pony ride); in an average outing at Pa’s, we’d spend that amount for just 10 ride tickets. Rides vary from one ticket to three depending on the attraction, so obviously the wristband purchase was a screaming deal, and in a delightful not frightful way!

Now I am not going to lie, RMT’ers: I’d all but sworn off Groupon. In all honestly, it was both because I was failing to use them before expiration, coupled with the fact that it’s been found time and time again that Groupons aren’t great for business owners in the long run (especially the smallest businesses). However, given this was a pretty restricted seasonal offer and for a destination that we were guaranteed to visit, I figured why not get one wristband and go a little earlier this year to try it out (so, OK, they got me, ha). I also think that Pa’s will have ample time to decide – based on deal redemptions and use of the post-expiration amounts both – whether it’s something they plan to offer again next season. And if they don’t partner with Groupon again for whatever the reason, that’s OK, too (and completely understandable).

The Pa’s Groupon expired on October 18 (sorry, RMT’ers), so the deal obviously was designed to get locals into Pa’s earlier in the Halloween season than they might otherwise have visited. Mission accomplished. T and I, along with our neighbor/ good friend/ T’s Auntie Kel spent a solid two hours out at Pa’s on this visit. And while T and I (and hopefully C, too) will return closer to Halloween (and hopefully on a much cooler fall day or evening), it pains me to think that we could easily spend more for just one-third the rides and stay just half the length of time than we did on this mega-visit.

But that’s OK. We love Pa’s Pumpkin Patch. It’s become a family tradition five years running for us, and with many more to come. Also we are happy Pa’s returned this season as we’d heard some threats of land sales and such that might have otherwise prevented them from setting up carnival this year. Glad those were all just incorrect rumors. I know it’s Halloween and all, but those rumors were enough to give me a scare, let me tell ya!

So thanks, Pa’s, for a great afternoon out! I say thanks because we definitely got our money’s worth and then some out of that Groupon, so most of our outing was on you guys… but don’t worry, we’ll be back for more spook-tacular fun sometime before Halloween arrives!

Pa’s Pumpkin Patch is at 6701 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90803. Other contact details are here. They will be open daily through October 30 from 10 a.m. through 9 p.m. and Halloween (October 31) from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Pa’s is also available for special group outings and parties; please call 562 596 7741 for more information.