Lightsey’s Pumpkin Patch moves closer to town

Vivian Lightsey and her husband, Glenn, have been providing traditional fall holiday decorations for 36-years in St Augustine; but this year, for the first time since graduating from high school, Lightsey and Sons won’t be spending Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas serving their loyal customers from the parking lot of Seabridge Square.

When you drive by this year, the landmark tent will be gone. Because construction of new stores to replace the former K-Mart location on US-1 at SR-312 has taken over the parking lot, Lightsey’s Pumpkin Patch will be moving a couple of miles closer to town.

“It’s hard to believe another season is upon us — and so soon,” Vivian told Historic City News today. “We are looking forward to the move October 10th and seeing all the holiday shoppers during our 37th season.”

This year, Lightsey and Sons will pitch their tent at the corner of Ponce de Leon Boulevard (US-1) and King Street; the former Hardee’s location which has been a vacant lot for several years.

Last season, we spoke to Vivian Lightsey, who told us that she is “the brains” behind the operation. She said that she wouldn’t know how to retire — even though the thought is tempting. There is a tremendous amount of loyalty that keeps Lightsey and Sons in business. She asked then, “How would you tell all the local families who come back, year after year to buy their holiday decorations, that you aren’t going to be here?”

Glenn and Vivian started the business. Their sons and daughter have all spent time on the lot, and Vivian’s brother, Mike Severt, has his own holiday tree business, started a year or so after Glenn and Vivian were married.

Indian corn, wreaths, pumpkins, and, next month, beautiful, full live trees will all be set up in time for Trick-or-Treaters; and, of course, the long-awaited arrival of Santa Claus.