THUNDER BAY -- If you're among those who get excitedfor the pumpkin spice of autumn, there's a good chance you'll find yourself out at Gammondale Farm some weekend this month.
The annual Pumpkin Fest kicked off under warm weather on Saturday, hosting over 400 people on its first day.
Poor pollination has impacted supply for the festival over the last few years but Gammondale farm owner Sue Gammond said young volunteers have saved it.
"We had about 10 or 15 kids each day for 10 days coming and pollinating the pumpkins again and that's why we have some nice, big, orange pumpkins," she said.
Mallory Hyatt is among those farmhands. They said connecting with young people who love the catapult, the pumpkin train and the corn cannon make it more worthwhile.
"It's very important, not just for the agricultural aspect of it but also to interact with kids and people," Hyatt said.
"It's so much fun."