Pumpkin festival helps keep Bradenton farm and vendors afloat

BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - Hunsader Farms opened its 2026 fall season this weekend after heavy rain forced the cancellation of opening weekend.The Pumpkin Fest draws roughly a hundred thousand people to the farm each year. Visitors can pick pumpkins, enjoy live music and spend money that helps support the farm and its vendors.Vendor relies on festival for nonprofit donationsMarcy MacPherson is spending her October weekends selling pumpkins at the festival. She said she got involved after answering a Facebook post from Hunsader Farms. In return, Hunsader Farms donates to her nonprofit, Dementiability, an organization that supports people living with dementia and their caregivers.MacPherson said the rained-out opening weekend cost the nonprofit $800 in potential donations that would have gone towards working with families.“Training, education, explaining to families how to communicate better with their loved one so you know it was a big loss,” MacPherson said.Farm says lost weekend affects