-Messenger file photo Lydia Meinhardt, 2, picks out the perfect pumpkin at Pumpkins and Ponies on the SpringVale Farm outside of Humboldt in 2020.

HUMBOLDT — Pumpkins and Ponies is returning to SpringVale Farm in Humboldt next weekend.

The 16th annual event will run Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10 at SpringVale Farm, 2603 Lone Tree Road. On Saturday, the hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Farm owner Lonnie Larson and her husband have offered pony rides on their farm for many years. One year, when Larson’s husband was experimenting with raising pumpkins, the couple set aside land for a pumpkin patch and “they were very prolific,” she told The Messenger.

The success of the pumpkin patch gave the Larsons the idea to host an event to offer wagon rides to the pumpkin patch and pony rides on their farm.

Now, 16 years later, the event continues to grow, drawing in hundreds of people from the area over the weekend.

Each day will feature the Mile HIgh Stagecoach for a show and rides, performances by the Dragonfire Dancing Horses, a petting zoo, the Des Moines River Valley Antique Tractor and Engine Club, vendors and more. On Saturday, there will be pony rides, face painting, vintage gas engines, a corn-shelling demonstration and live music by the Nedd Freeley Funn Band.

Admission and parking are free for both days.

New this year is an opening ceremony saluting the Armed Forces and first responders. On Saturday, the ceremony will start at 10 a.m., and on Sunday, it will begin at 11 a.m.

“It will be a musical component to a mounted drill team performing that,” Larson said. “We think it’s maybe needed right now to let those folks know we recognize them and we appreciate their sacrifice.

There will be some new vendors this year.

“They have a diversified offering of unique items,” Larson said.

Mile High Stagecoach, of Lacrosse, Wisconsin, will be back for Pumpkins and Ponies this year. They did not come for the 2020 event.

“They’ll be giving rides in an authentic 1893 stagecoach,” Larson said. “That’s not something you do every day.”

As always, visitors can take wagon rides to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins of all sizes to purchase.