Although a number of local stores have been displaying Halloween costumes since early September, most people waited until this weekend to set up their holiday decorations. Witches, ghosts, and black cats are popular; but nothing beats the pumpkin, or more specifically, the jack-o-lantern, when it comes to Halloween. With respect to Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang, two local churches may have the "most sincere" pumpkin patches, if you're looking for a little pumpkin-related fun. For the tenth year, Mary Esther United Methodist Church will operate a pumpkin patch from 9 am until dusk, Monday - Saturday. On Fun Saturday, the church will have family activities, including a bounce house and a hayride. Admission to the pumpkin patch is free, but individual tickets will be sold for the other activities. Mary Esther United Methodist Church is located at 703 Miracle Strip Parkway; please call the church at 850-243-7595 for more information. Niceville Methodist Church is also sponsoring a pumpkin patch. Open Monday Saturday from 9am-9pm, the church receives a new batch of pumpkins every week. On Saturdays, they also have a petting zoo, music, face painting, and other family activities. Proceeds from Niceville Methodist Church's pumpkin patch are directed to the church's student ministries. The Church is located at 214 Partin Drive South in Niceville. In Walton County, you can explore the pumpkin patches at Arnett's Gulf Side Stables in Santa Rosa Beach. Pick and decorate a pumpkin, take a pony ride, bounce on the bounce houses and take a "haunted" hayride every weekend from 10-4. There is a lot of pumpkin-related fun in October, so channel your inner Martha Stewart and get to it!