No rattling is required when it comes to embracing one of the most adorable autumn pop-ups in Southern California, a patch that hatched nearly 40 years ago.
Real magic has a way of embracing movement, and Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch has shown up in a few regional cities since its 1987 launch. Wherever the patch sprouted, it readily welcomed thousands of kids and grown-ups who were eager for a nostalgic and airy outing and some sweet seasonal activities.
Recent years have found the bones-y bastion bringing the cute fall fun times to Culver City, which is where pumpkins, and occasional special doings, are now in full flower through Oct. 31.
The address is 10100 Jefferson Boulevard and general admission is $12 to $20, depending on the day of your visit (tickets and information are available on the Mr. Bones site).
Once you’re inside and bones-ing around, you can expect a few classic sights, like the popular Pumpkin Village, and photo spots created with seasonal pizzazz.
There’s a petting zoo, too, with goats and other critters. Is petting a goat a rite of fall? Even if the rest of your year is distinctly lacking in goat-petting? We think this may be the case.
Weekends at Mr. Bones offer additional pursuits, with entertainment, a birds of prey show, and special events gracing Saturdays and Sundays. There’s also a Día de los Muertos celebration Oct. 25, beckoning all merry-making calacas for a day of spirited revelry.
Checking out the shows and tune? There’s quite a line-up: The Scarolers are set to croon in eeky style, while The California Feetwarmers will break out the banjos and twang.
The full music-and-merriment line-up is listed on this page, if there is an act you can’t miss.
A variety of food trucks will also call upon the squash-packed scene on select dates, with Maravilla Latin Cuisine and other local favorites slated to appetizingly appear.
Pumpkin prices? They’re here, if you’d like to depart with a dazzling jack to carve ahead of Halloween.
Pondering what Mr. Bones might do for its milestone anniversary in 2027? We imagine that colorful, seed-filled fruits may be involved and a lot of community support. Oh yes: And it isn’t Mr. Bones without the Pumpkin Village. It just isn’t.
Happy almost-40th to one of the merry mainstays of the SoCal autumn run, a bones-tastic collection of cute photo spots and weekend whimsies, presented with plenty of heart.