Parkland's Fall Keeps Coming Back to Ranch Road: Pumpkins, Trunk-or-Treat, Hayrides and the Market's Return
October 15, 2026
October 15, 2026
The Equestrian Center at Temple Park is a small place for the amount of city life it holds. It sits at 8350 Ranch Road. The site has two riding rings, a pavilion, barbecue grills, concessions, restrooms and an open field. For most of the year, people come here to ride horses. Starting next weekend and running through April, most of Parkland's public calendar happens on this one site.
Today's Parkland Dash at Pine Trails Park is close to the last big October event held somewhere else. After this weekend, the City of Parkland's fall schedule keeps returning to Ranch Road. That includes the Pumpkin Patch, the Halloween Festival, the Farmers' Market, the Hayride & Bonfire and both December craft fairs. If you plan your fall around that one address, you have most of the season covered.
The site has a long history. On its facility page, the City says the rings are used by neighboring horsemen and the Parkland Horseman's Association. The Association is a nonprofit founded in the late 1970s that promotes safe riding, horsemanship and access to Parkland's greenways, and it runs seasonal shows and educational clinics. Its 2025–2026 show season has wrapped, and its events page lists nothing upcoming right now. City rules still apply in the rings: under Ordinance 2009-29, riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
According to the City's facility page, the Equestrian Center is the only Parkland park where owners may bring their pets. A Sunday market where people walk their dogs needs a park that allows dogs, and that leaves one choice. The open space beside the rings has hosted the Farmers' Market each November through April. The fall events now cluster around it.
The site's season actually started early this year. The Back to School Splash Bash, a free morning event on September 19, was held on the lawn next to the Equestrian Center, as TAPinto Parkland reported.
The Parkland Pumpkin Patch opens Saturday, October 17. It runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both opening-weekend days. Entry is free and open to the public. Pumpkins and food are for sale. According to the City's event page, opening weekend has hayrides, food trucks, a petting zoo, face painting, inflatables and arts and crafts. Pumpkin sales this year benefit Food For The Poor. Visit Lauderdale's October 6 roundup of Broward pumpkin patches lists the same: free entry, the Food For The Poor tie-in, and barnyard animals among the attractions.
The patch doesn't close after the weekend. The City calendar lists weekday hours Monday, October 19, through Thursday, October 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. Those weekday evenings are listed under the plain "Pumpkin Patch" heading. The full list of opening-weekend activities appears only on the opening-weekend page, so expect a simpler setup after school than on Saturday.
Also on the grounds is the Annual Scarecrow Decorating Contest. Local businesses, schools, organizations and community groups build the scarecrows, they stand around the patch, and visitors vote for a favorite. The City began handing out free scarecrow frames on October 1, while supplies last. For a local business or school group, a scarecrow is one of the easier ways to take part in the season.
The City has not posted 2026 pumpkin prices or payment methods. Details from past years don't carry over, so check the City page before you go.
The pumpkin weekdays end Thursday, and the Halloween Festival is the next night. It runs Friday, October 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the same address. The City's listing describes trick-or-trunks with candy, live entertainment on a stage, stilt walkers and other characters, Halloween activities, and food trucks selling seasonal items.
The trunks come from the community. The City says Trick-or-Trunk applications are open to businesses, organizations, schools and community groups. The same groups invited to build scarecrows for the patch can decorate a trunk a week later, on the same field. The City hasn't listed a 2026 costume contest.
Nine days after the trunks leave, the Farmers' Market opens its 2026–27 season. The first market is Sunday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. After that it runs the first and third Sundays of each month through April, according to TAPinto Parkland's season announcement. TAPinto lists fresh and organic produce, herbs, flowers, breads and pastries, plus jams, honey, dips, sauces, fresh pasta, cheese and pickles. The City's vendor manual says dogs are welcome and must stay on a leash.
Each market day has a theme. Here is the City's schedule for the rest of 2026, from the 2026–27 vendor manual:
| Sunday | Theme | What the City lists |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 1 | Opening Day | Business Expo and public safety partners |
| Nov. 15 | Pet Expo | Pet vendors, rescue groups, activities for pets |
| Dec. 6 | Craft Fair | Handmade goods and holiday shopping |
| Dec. 20 | Craft Fair | Holiday crafts and seasonal gifts |
The Pet Expo fits this site because no other city park allows pets. Both December craft fairs land before the holidays, so the shopping happens at the same market as your weekly produce.
The 2027 part of the season includes something new. On March 7, a Kidpreneur Marketplace lets young entrepreneurs ages 8 to 16 sell their own products. The businesses must be child-led, and art, baked goods and handmade items are possible offerings. Other 2027 themes include a Health & Wellness Market on January 3, a Car Show on February 21, and the Plant Sale & Environmental Expo on April 18, which closes the season. For questions about the market, the Parks and Recreation Department is at 954-757-4107.
The one date in this post's November lineup that leaves Ranch Road is the Veterans Day Ceremony. It runs Wednesday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to noon at Veterans Park, 6620 University Drive.
Two days later, the season returns to the Equestrian Center for the Hayride & Bonfire. It runs Friday, November 13, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This is the one fall event at this address that the City links to its recreation registration portal, not just a calendar entry. The City hasn't posted price, capacity or what's included, so check the portal before you plan the evening around it.
Except for Veterans Day, every date on this list is at 8350 Ranch Road. Outside of events, the pavilion there can be reserved through the Parks and Recreation Division at 954.757.4105.
Our team at Rose Catinella lives and works close to these Sundays on Ranch Road, and we track Parkland's calendar as closely as its market. If the fall has you thinking about what your Parkland home is worth before the season gets busy, ask us for a free home valuation. We'll walk you through it calmly and clearly, whenever the timing works for you.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
Whether you're buying or selling, we are committed to delivering a stress-free, transparent, and successful experience. Let’s work together to achieve your real estate goals.