HARLETON \— Harrison County families got an early start on the holiday season Saturday at Enoch's Stomp Vineyard and Winery.

Co-owner Jon Kral and an army of friends and family invited the community to enjoy fall festivities \— some traditional, some brand new \— at the vineyard's third annual Pumpkin Stomp.

COURTNEY CASE/News Messenger (ENLARGE)

Ruth and Maddie Horton of Longview paint a pumpkin they selected from the pumpkin patch during the Pumpkin Stomp Saturday at Enoch's Stomp Vineyard and Winery in Harleton.

A front section of the land was transformed into a pumpkin patch with hundreds ready for the picking.

"(Co-owner) Altus grew up farming, so planting 500 pumpkins is no big deal to him," Kral said.

Guests were treated to a hay ride to the patch, which was especially popular with those carrying the pumpkins back to their vehicles, and around a large portion of the property.

The event also offered a variety of games and activities, including a paintball range, pumpkin bowling, a bean bag toss and a balloon stomp.

Bowling participants attempted to knock down pins with small, round pumpkins, which would occasionally explode on the way down the grassy "lane."

Harleton Junior High School student Hunter Nixon tried his hand at the sport.

"It was cool," he said. "I killed a pumpkin."

"Two, actually," interjected his sister, Maleigha Nixon.

Hunter was impressed with the game, where everyone was declared a winner.

"My school has a festival like this, but they haven't even thought of that yet."

Other guests took a more artistic approach with their pumpkins.

Bright pink, purple, green and yellow paints were set up on picnic tables near a grill serving up hamburgers and hot dogs. Some followed the pumpkin's natural curves, while others painted objects or polka dots.

Judy Gillentine painted "scary spiders" on her grandchildren and daughter. "We picked out pumpkins and took the liberty of using the paints to paint faces," she said.

The family was enjoying spending the cool, sunny day together at the vineyard.

"It's a beautiful opportunity in this area," Ms. Gillentine said. "I think more people need to come and experience this.

"We got to cut our pumpkin off the vine, and that's not something you get to do every day."

Kral was also pleased with the event, which saw a large turnout.

"It's about what we expected," he said. "We're fighting the weather, the Texas-OU game and Yamboree."

The winery plays host to a variety of family activities throughout the year.

"We always try to think of new events," Kral said. "In the spring, that front patch is full of wildflowers for our Clover Stomp."

Enoch's Stomp Vineyard and Winery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday or by appointment. For more information, visit www.enochsstomp.com.