Venetucci Farm Will Open Annual Harvest Festival
The 192-acre Colorado Springs farm celebrates its 90th anniversary with a month-long pumpkin event starting in October.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Is preserving historical community traditions important even if the event format changes significantly over time?
Venetucci Farm will host its annual pumpkin and harvest festival every weekend throughout October 2026. The 192-acre site continues its tradition of community events while celebrating its 90th year of operations.
Why it matters
The festival serves as a community staple in Colorado Springs, highlighting the history of the land despite environmental challenges that ended on-site farming a decade ago.
The 192-acre property operates as one of more than 200 contaminated sites nationwide after aquifer pollution forced an end to on-site production. General admission is $8, with pumpkins available for purchase at $10 each.
The players
Venetucci Farm
This historic 192-acre site in Security-Widefield has transitioned from a working farm to a community-focused venue.
Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation
This organization manages the property and has overseen its operations since 2019.
Colorado Youth Outdoors
This group coordinates the educational field trips and youth activities that bring thousands of students to the farm annually.
The details
Colorado Youth Outdoors coordinates field trips for approximately 2,000 kindergartners, who will receive pumpkins sourced from Milberger Farms in Pueblo. While the site remains a community venue, it stopped local livestock and produce operations in 2016 due to property well contamination from Air Force firefighting foam.
Timeline
1950s and 1960s: Nick Venetucci's field yielded 10,000 pumpkins annually.
2006: Pikes Peak Community Foundation took over management.
2016: Aquifer contamination forced a pivot of farm operations.
2019: Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation assumed management.
October 2026: Pumpkin and harvest festival operations occur every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Roadmap
The farm's transition reflects a growing trend of repurposing historic agricultural land to serve community and educational needs. By pivoting away from on-site production, the site maintains its 90-year legacy within the evolving constraints of the regional landscape.
Residents can attend the festival for a $8 admission fee, with pumpkins available for an additional $10. Visitors should plan their trips for Friday through Sunday to ensure participation in the harvest activities.
The takeaway
The farm highlights how historic sites can adapt their mission to continue serving the public after environmental shifts occur. Community members can support the transition by participating in the seasonal events that keep the legacy of the property alive.
What happens next
The festival will take place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout October 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local food efforts at Organic Food.
More information
For complete details on the event, visit the official farm information and event details.
Live Poll
Is preserving historical community traditions important even if the event format changes significantly over time?
