For four weeks each October, the entrance to Canyon Lake United Methodist Church blazes with orange.

Pumpkins sit atop and around the church's sign. Orange signs dot Canyon Lake Drive, encouraging all who drive by to visit the pumpkin patch.

Canyon Lake United Methodist Church began sponsoring its annual pumpkin patch 11 years ago, but the idea was born 31 years ago when a pumpkin farmer named Richard Hamby paired with a pastor to raise money for their church. The duo agreed that the church would sell Hamby's pumpkins and proceeds would be split.

Today, Hamby sets up his pumpkin patches in 1,300 locations in 40 states. In 2005, the pumpkin patch partners - churches and organizations such as Canyon Lake United Methodist - raised $3.6 million.

Each year, Hamby raises 2,000 acres of pumpkins on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Four Corners, N.M., employing 1,000 people. When harvest time comes, pickers use snow plows to push the pumpkins to the side for loading.

For years, Canyon Lake United Methodist ran the patch for the entire month of October, raising money for various church projects. Busy schedules eventually made that arrangement too difficult for church members. Today, the church's youth group runs it for one week, raising money for its trips. A local Boy Scout troop, the Lions Club and the Altrusa Club run the patch for the remaining three weeks.

The patch sells between 2,000 and 2,555 large pumpkins each year, with each organization collecting between $500 and $900.

"One year, I sold out of pumpkins … We had people drive in from Wyoming to buy the last three pumpkins," said "Farmer" Larry Converse, who has managed the patch since its inception at the church.

Converse and "Pumpkin Patch" Sharon Wilson, who also manages the patch, give tours and pumpkin train rides to about 1,000 preschool kids each year. The patch also features a maze.

Over the years, Converse has become so entwined with his persona as "Farmer Larry" that kids recognize him outside the patch. "Farmer Larry and Pumpkin Patch Sharon are known by everybody," Converse said. "I can go around town and kids will call out to me."

But kids aren't the only ones who have grown accustomed to seeing the patch each October. Recently, before Converse had time to put up his traditional pumpkin signs along Canyon Lake Drive, a woman drove to his patch to make sure the patch was there.

"She said, 'The signs weren't up. I was afraid you weren't here.'" Converse said he assured the woman that the patch was on schedule for its 11th year.

If you go

Event: Canyon Lake United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch.

When: Open from 10 a.m. to dusk each day this month.

Where: 3500 Canyon Lake Drive, near Canyon Lake Elementary School.

Admission: Free. Pumpkins are priced according to size.

Fall festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. Face painting, train rides, games and treats will be offered. The South Dakota Child Identification Program will be available. Pre-registration is preferred by calling 348-1080; walk-ins are welcome, however.

Other stuff: The Canyon Lake United Methodist Pumpkin Patch also offers free tours for preschools, which includes a ride on the pumpkin train and a visit to the maze.

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at 394-8414 or lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com