Torelli Realty’s Pumpkin Patch continues a Halloween tradition in Costa Mesa

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Its a messy affair as kids and their parents decorate pumpkins during Torelli Realty’s annual pumpkin patch and Halloween party on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Alexander Ramirez gets his face painted by sister Marilyn Garcia during Torelli Realty’s annual pumpkin patch and Halloween party on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Christa Mae, dressed as a sugar skull spirit, laughs with kids during Torelli Realty’s annual pumpkin patch event on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Families dig into the pile of pumpkins at Torelli Realty’s annual pumpkin patch on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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The front door of the Torelli Realty office is decorated for the business’s annual pumpkin patch event on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Christa Mae, dressed as a sugar skull spirit, carries a pumpkin during Torelli Realty’s annual pumpkin patch event on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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A youngster carries the pumpkin he selected at Torelli Realty’s annual pumpkin patch on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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A youngster happily carries his pumpkin through the crowd during Torelli Realty’s annual pumpkin patch and Halloween party on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Kids line up for free popcorn during the Torelli Realty Annual pumpkin patch on Thursday night in Costa Mesa. (Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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A ghoulish figure hangs from a lightpost during the Torelli Realty annual pumpkin patch on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Candied apples were a popular item during the Torelli Realty annual pumpkin patch and Halloween party on Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

By Luke MoneyStaff Writer

Oct. 27, 2017 12:25 PM PT

Gourd times were had by all Thursday evening as Torelli Realty’s annual Pumpkin Patch sprouted in Costa Mesa.

The two-hour event at the agency’s office in Mesa Verde offered family-friendly activities including a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, a raffle and a bounce house-style obstacle course.

Guests also could snag a free pumpkin to decorate for Halloween or go jaw-to-jaw in a pie-eating contest.

The origins of the popular local tradition stretch back to 1984, when pumpkins were distributed door-to-door to more than 3,000 homes in Mesa Verde.

Organizers say the event typically draws 250 to 500 visitors.

luke.money@latimes.com

Twitter @LukeMMoney

Torelli Realty’s Pumpkin Patch continues a Halloween tradition in Costa Mesa

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