STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

More than 200 pumpkins all aglow. A haunted noodle forest. Even a headless horseman—it’s Blazing Pumpkins time at Swiftsure Ranch.

The third annual Blazing Pumpkins festival will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight—Saturday, Oct. 19—at the ranch south of Bellevue.

Pumpkins donated by Atkinsons’ Market and carved by local school children and community members will line the riding paths on the ranch. Past years have seen pumpkins take on the appearance of a wizened owl, giant orange caterpillars, even a valentine.

Kids can take turns smashing apples and small pumpkins via a pumpkin chucking catapult and see if they can down a sledgehammer hard enough to ring a bell on top of a tower. There also will be bouncy houses, pumpkin carving, a chance to ride a mechanical bull, carnival games and a raffle.

And the ranch’s therapy horses will don costumes to participate in a Horsepower Parade.

Of course, there’ll be fair food, baked goods, beer, wine and cider and complimentary s’mores.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids five and older.

Proceeds support the equestrian center, which offers free therapeutic riding services to hundreds of youth and adult riders with physical, mental and emotional difficulties. The ranch has also provided equine-assisted activities for such groups as Higher Ground, the Boise Veterans Administration, Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind and the Boise Veterans Hospital.

The ranch is located at 114 Calypso Lane, a few miles south of Bellevue on Idaho Highway 75. Look for the flag on the right.

Questions? Visit www.swiftsureranch.org or call 208-578-9111.