October 5, 2025 — The air was crisp, the scent of barbecue hot dogs and popcorn drifted through the breeze, and laughter echoed across the pumpkin patch at Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center on Saturday, October 4, as families, pets, and community members gathered for the first-ever Fall Fest.
Held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 85 Temperance Ave. in Clovis, the inaugural event marked the official opening of this year’s Pumpkin Patch and introduced a brand-new seasonal celebration for pet lovers and families alike.
“This has been a fantastic turnout for our first-ever Fall Fest,” said Kayleigh Bader, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Miss Winkles. “We’ve done the annual pumpkin patch every year, but we decided to add something special this year to kick things off—and it has definitely exceeded expectations.”
And exceed it did. By midday, more than 300 visitors had stopped by to enjoy the festivities. The parking lot overflowed, the hot dogs sold out more than once, and guests, many with their dogs in tow, lined up to explore the many activities.
Clovis Transit’s beloved Dolly the Trolley made a special appearance, transformed into a “Haunted Trolley” with a spooky but family-friendly twist. “Dolly the Trolley has been my favorite part,” Bader shared. “We were able to decorate and make her haunted in a really cool way. It’s a unique experience, and not many people get to see Dolly like this.”
The festival also featured a dog obstacle course, kids’ carnival games, craft stations, and inflatables provided by the Clovis Recreation Department. Guests enjoyed cotton candy, sodas, Dippin’ Dots, and free popcorn while proceeds from food and pumpkin sales supported the pets at Miss Winkles.
Bader said the event came together smoothly thanks to partnerships with Clovis Rec, Clovis Transit, and sponsor Reyes Consulting, which helped fund decorations and the pumpkin patch setup.
Beyond the games and food, Fall Fest reflected Miss Winkles’ ongoing mission to connect with the community and help pets find forever homes. “Our goal is to build connections with our community because that’s what gets pets home,” Bader said. “Events like this—our pumpkin patch, photos with Santa, or Fast and the Furriest 5K—give people a chance to get to know us and see what we do.”
As for those who missed it, Bader encourages everyone to visit the Pumpkin Patch throughout October. “It should be the first thing you do for fall,” she said with a smile. “There’s something for everyone, family, kids, and your furry family members too.”
Miss Winkles’ Pumpkin Patch will remain open through October, offering more opportunities for festive fun, family photos, and a good cause that helps pets find loving homes.