Photo: The Pumpkin Patch at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Canyon Lake UMC.

RAPID CITY, SD -- Spreading the love of God with pumpkins, chili, hayrides and a whole lot more. That was the scene on Sunday, October 25, as Canyon Lake United Methodist Church (CLUMC) in Rapid City, South Dakota hosted their second annual "Old-Fashioned Family Fall Fest." 

Canyon Lake UMC's mission statement is: "We invite people to grow together in the love of God and others."  The church welcomed nearly 200 visitors from the community for chili tasting, pumpkin judging, train rides at the Pumpkin Patch, hay rides, games, and even a chance for free family photos. 

Visitors received goodie bags with information about CLUMC's ministries, a special pumpkin prayer for kids, and more. 

Photo: A child plays a nail puzzle game at the Fall Fest.

The event coincided with "Circuit Rider Sunday" an annual October tradition at CLUMC for confirmation students to learn about the evangelism and ministries of Circuit Rider preachers. Nearly 30 middle-school youth spent the morning at the ranch of Joe and Alys Ratigan, long-time CLUMC members and confirmation mentors.

The confirmation students participated in a Bible scavenger hunt, learned about the hardships that Circuit Riders faced, and spent some time watching the Ratigan's horse, Willie, perform special tricks.

Confirmation youth returned to CLUMC to volunteer at the Fall Fest, spending time with children from across the community.

Photo: Willie the horse and confirmation students at the Joe and Alys Ratigan ranch.

The Pumpkin Patch will continue throughout the month of October. Every day noon unitl dusk through Oct. 31 Canyon Lake UMC allows anyone in the community to come and pick out a pumpkin from among the thousands in the make-shift patch.

Each year the church brings pumpkins from New Mexico to South Dakota.  Canyon Lake United Methodist Church has partnered with the Navojo nation in New Mexico for the past 15 years.

In 1974 Richard Hamby, a farmer in North Carolina, started Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers. Hamby made an agreement with Pumpkin Patch and the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI) to grow pumpkins. Part of the mission of NAPI is to develop and manage a self-sustaining, profitable, culturally and environmentally sensitive farming for the benefit of the Navajo workforce.

Photo: Free train rides are available at the Pumpkin Patch.

On 1,200 acres or approximately two square miles of pumpkins, over 700 Native Americans harvest pumpkins during September and October with positive economic impact on a region with 42% unemployment. 

Canyon Lake UMC invites the school groups and community members to the Pumkin Patch each year. The Pumpkin Patch offers free train rides and a great family experience.  Members of the chruch and nonprofit organizations, like the Rushmore Lions Club, staff the patch from noon until dusk each day October.

 For more information about the Pumpkin Patch and the fall fun-filled annual event, visit CLUMC's Facebook page. 

View the news coverage by KEVN, Fox News of the Black Hills below.

Photos courtesy of Canyon Lake UMC.