24 Year Marine Veteran Honored By Wife
Today a 24 year Marine Veteran was honored by his wife for Military Monday. Lewis, a Clearwater native, was nominated by his wife Sarah during this morning’s segment. Now a Sergeant Major in the Marines, Lewis has been deployed many times. These deployments include tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sarah also talked about the challenges of Military spouses. Clearly the entire family feels the sacrifice that Lewis’ makes for our Country. A warrior in her own right Sarah homeschools their four children all while keeping a positive outlook on her husband’s career.
In his free time Lewis enjoys disc golf and spending time with family. On behalf of Tampa Bay’s Morning Krewe we want to thank this 24 year Marine Veteran and his family for their service and sacrifice. Thank you Lewis!
Congrats to Lewis as he receives a $100 gift card from our friends at Stingray Chevrolet.
Every Monday we honor a member of the military in Tampa Bay. Do you have someone in your life that is or has been in the military? Someone that you admire, a relative, a friend? Whoever it is that you want to spotlight. We want to hear from you and you can nominate someone right now by doing so HERE. The nomination process takes about five minutes. Once you nominate someone we will be in touch with you to schedule a call with you.
10 Best Pumpkin Patches In Tampa To Check Out
1. Gallagher’s Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Trees
Location: 7401 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Located in St. Pete for more than 30 years, this family-owned business is the perfect spot to capture super cute photos of your little pumpkins while you select the best of the ‘patch’! You can also pick up a yummy homemade pie and even feed goats in the goat pen. Plus great photo opportunities.
2. Harvest Holler Pumpkin Patch in Polk City
Open now through November 12
Location: 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City, FL 33868 – about 30 min east of Tampa
Cost: $15 for ages 13-64, $12 for ages 2-12, seniors 65+, and active-duty military
Farmer Jerry and his family’s Harvest Holler Farm invite you to come out for a fun fall tradition and stroll the fields of this year’s corn maze and pumpkin patch. Explore the pumpkin patch, go on a hayride, enjoy some country eats, meet live farm animals, and more! There’s also a cow train, corn hole, and many more activities.
3. Raprager Family Farm Fall Pumpkin Patch
Friday – Sundays now through October 29 and Saturdays and Sundays Nov 4-19
Located at 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa
Cost: $16.95 when purchased in advance for ages 3 and up, children 2 and under are free. Parking is free.
Raprager Family Farm’s Fall Festival is a favorite. Attractions include axe throwing, pumpkin painting, a 900ft inflatable maze, a baby cow, and more. The haunted barn is back along with the hay rides, petting zoo, hay chute slide, and other favorites. The farm is kid-friendly all day but does get scarier after 6:00 p.m.
4. Corky’s Pumpkin Patch at Keel Farms
Open October 7,8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29Location: 1603 Hawks Griffin Road, Plant City, FL
Cost is free
Keel Farms has a four-acre corn maze for you and the kids to navigate as you find hidden clues and solve a riddle with the rooster mascot, Corky and pals. There is also a pumpkin patch, hayrides, kids zone, and more!
5. St. Pete Pier Fall Pumpkin Patch
October 7 – 15Location: St Pete Pier
Cost is free
The St. Pete Pier is such a fun place to visit and better in the fall. Pick out your perfect pumpkin at the Family Park at the St. Pete Pier and pose for adorable photos. While you’re there, stay and play at the nearby playground and even tour the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
6. Heights Fall Festival Pumpkin Patch at Armature Works
Open Saturday and Sunday, Oct 14 & 15 and Oct 21 & 22Location: Armature Works, Tampa
Cost is free
The Heights Fall Festival will take place across two weekends in October and will feature a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, face painters, activities for the whole family, and live music. There will also be a food drive benefiting Metropolitan Ministries.
7. Pumpkin Fest 2023 at Florida Botanical Gardens
Saturday October 21, 2023, from 12 pm-4 pm
Location: 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo, FL 33774 Clearwater Pumpkin Patch
Cost: Free admission, $10 per pumpkin
The 8th Annual Pumpkin Fest at Florida Botanical Gardens. Here you will find a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, spooky activities, and more. Fun for both kids and adults.
8. Dave’s Christmas Tree Lot Pumpkin Patch
October 1-31, 2023 Mon-Fri: 1 pm-8 pm, Sat-Sun: 9 am-9 pm
Location: 106 E Lumsden Avenue, Brandon, FL
Cost: Pumpkins $4 and up
Bring your friends and family out to wander through rows of pie pumpkins, mini pumpkins, white pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, highly stacked hay bales, garden mums, and much more. Bring the whole family for fun photo opportunities.
9. Hyde Park Village Pumpkin Patch
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: General view of the atmosphere at Mr. Jack O’Lantern’s Pumpkin Patch on October 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
October 4 – October 26, 2023
Location: 1602 W. Snow Circle, Tampa.
Cost: varies for pumpkins
Come pick out the perfect pumpkin at Hyde Park Village. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The pumpkin patch is located by the fountain near Pottery Barn.
10. Fox Squirrel Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
October 7-November 5, 2023, Sat-Sun: 10 am-5 pmLocation: 6151 Varn Road, Plant City, FL
Cost: $12. Ages 3 and under are FREE
This is a family-friendly event including fall games and activities during the annual Fox Squirrel Corn Maze! Navigate the corn maze and then go check out the duck races. Challenge your kids to a game of corn hole, go on a hayride, and don’t to grab the perfect pumpkin.
