Every October, the entrance to Wheelwright Farm on North Main Street transforms into a sea of orange. Truckloads of pumpkins arrive, volunteers set up the wooden bins and hay bales, and before long, Cohasset’s beloved Appalachia Service Project (ASP) Pumpkin Patch is open for business.
This isn’t just another fall market — it’s one of the town’s most cherished fundraisers, supporting a cause that runs deep in the community’s heart. Each pumpkin sold helps fund the Appalachia Service Project, a volunteer program where Cohasset High School students spend part of their summer traveling to the mountains of Appalachia. Their mission? Repair homes, rebuild hope, and create meaningful connections with families in need.
While locals flock to Wheelwright Farm for pumpkins of every shape and size, they also come knowing that their purchase has purpose. As one resident put it, “Sure, I could grab a pumpkin at the grocery store, but it feels better knowing my money is helping our kids help others.” It’s that blend of generosity and hometown pride that makes the ASP Pumpkin Patch such a signature part of Cohasset’s fall season.
And of course, it’s not just about the pumpkins. Over the years, the patch has become a backdrop for countless family photos — toddlers in flannel, golden retrievers among the gourds, and young parents capturing those perfect fall moments. In a town known for its charm, coastline, and sense of connection, the pumpkin patch captures all three. It’s a visual reminder that life in Cohasset is about more than beautiful homes — it’s about belonging to a community that shows up for one another.
Key Takeaways
The ASP Pumpkin Patch at Wheelwright Farm is a time-honored fall tradition that raises funds for a life-changing student service trip.
Proceeds support the Appalachia Service Project, where Cohasset teens travel to rural Appalachia to repair homes and uplift families in need.
Locals happily spend a few extra dollars on an “ASP pumpkin,” knowing their purchase supports a meaningful cause.
The patch doubles as a favorite fall photo destination — a family-friendly spot that radiates small-town charm.
Events like this reflect the essence of the Cohasset lifestyle: connected, compassionate, and community-driven — one of the many reasons families choose to call it home.
What the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) Is — and Who It Helps
At its core, the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is about neighbors helping neighbors — even when those neighbors live hundreds of miles away. Founded in 1969, ASP connects volunteers from across the country with families living in some of the most economically challenged areas of Central Appalachia. Their mission is simple but powerful: to make homes warmer, safer, and drier for those who need it most.
Each summer, teams of high school students, adult leaders, and volunteers from towns like Cohasset travel to rural parts of Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Virginia. There, they spend a week tackling projects like repairing roofs, rebuilding porches, and replacing floors for families living in homes that are often in disrepair.
But the real transformation goes beyond construction. Volunteers share meals and stories with homeowners, learning firsthand the strength and dignity of the families they serve. As one longtime ASP leader puts it, “We go down there to fix houses — but we end up rebuilding hope.”
For Cohasset students, the experience is profoundly eye-opening. It broadens their understanding of gratitude and service, and it often sparks a lifelong commitment to giving back. The families in Appalachia gain safety and comfort, while the students gain perspective and empathy — a perfect example of how service connects hearts across miles.
Cohasset’s Deep Connection to the Appalachia Service Project
In Cohasset, ASP isn’t just another high school volunteer trip — it’s a rite of passage. For over two decades, Cohasset High School students have traded in their summer downtime for tool belts and work gloves, learning lessons that last far beyond the week they spend in Appalachia.
Ask any parent whose teenager has gone, and you’ll hear the same thing: “It changed them.” Those days spent under the Appalachian sun teach humility, teamwork, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from helping someone without expecting anything in return.
In our own family, the impact was personal. Both of my children participated in the program while at Cohasset High, and the experience stayed with them long after they returned home. My daughter was so moved that she wrote her college application essay about it — reflecting on how service isn’t about fixing houses, but about connecting with people and learning the meaning of resilience.
That’s what ASP does so well: it builds character as much as it builds homes. And every year, the program’s success depends on the generosity of this town. Parents organize fundraisers, students host bake sales, and local businesses pitch in — but it’s the Pumpkin Patch at Wheelwright Farm that brings it all together.
When the community gathers among the pumpkins, it’s more than just a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of shared purpose — proof that Cohasset doesn’t just talk about giving back; it lives it.
The Pumpkin Patch Tradition at Wheelwright Farm
Come October, Wheelwright Farm turns into one of the South Shore’s most photographed fall scenes. Rows of pumpkins stretch across the field, volunteers welcome visitors, and the laughter of kids fills the air.
The pumpkins arrive by the truckload from a partner farm in New Mexico, and in true Cohasset fashion, the unloading is a community affair. Students, parents, and alumni form a cheerful assembly line, stacking thousands of pumpkins while catching up with neighbors. By the end of the day, the farm has transformed into a glowing, autumnal landscape that embodies the best of small-town life. 
Throughout the month, families stop by to pick out pumpkins, take photos, and enjoy the season. It’s become something of a South Shore fall destination — not just for locals, but for visitors who love the warm, welcoming vibe.
Behind every photo and every pumpkin sale lies a sense of purpose. Each dollar raised supports the next generation of Cohasset students as they prepare for their service trip. As one longtime resident put it, “When you buy an ASP pumpkin, you’re not just supporting a fundraiser — you’re supporting the kind of kids this town raises.”
That pride, that sense of shared purpose, is what makes this tradition so enduring.
Why Community Traditions Like This Define the Cohasset Lifestyle
Cohasset is known for its rocky shoreline, classic New England architecture, and top-rated schools — but its real beauty lies in its sense of community. It’s the kind of town where people know their neighbors, where children grow up surrounded by role models, and where local traditions have meaning that goes deeper than nostalgia.
The ASP Pumpkin Patch captures that spirit perfectly. It’s entirely volunteer-run, fueled by generosity, and woven into the rhythm of local life. It’s a reminder that living in Cohasset means being part of something bigger than yourself — a town that values kindness, connection, and giving back.
For Boston families considering a move south, or South Shore residents looking to “move up” to a community with both heart and heritage, Cohasset offers more than just beautiful homes. It offers a lifestyle rooted in purpose. Here, events like the Pumpkin Patch aren’t just traditions — they’re reflections of what it means to live well, live fully, and live together.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does the ASP Pumpkin Patch open, and where is it located?
The patch typically opens in early October and runs through Halloween at Wheelwright Farm on North Main Street in Cohasset. It’s open daily, and volunteers are always happy to help you find that perfect pumpkin.
2. What makes the Cohasset ASP trip unique?
Cohasset’s ASP team doesn’t just raise funds — they raise awareness and empathy. Students spend a week immersed in a community unlike their own, learning to appreciate resilience and gratitude through service.
3. Can families outside Cohasset support the patch?
Yes! The ASP Pumpkin Patch welcomes visitors from across the South Shore and Greater Boston. Every purchase supports student volunteers and their mission to make homes safer and warmer for families in Appalachia.
4. What other community events define life in Cohasset?
Cohasset’s charm extends year-round through the Village Fair, Farmers Market, Holiday Stroll, and summer concerts on the Common. Each event offers that same spirit of connection and belonging that makes the town so special.
5. Why do families choose Cohasset over other South Shore towns?
Cohasset offers the perfect mix of coastal beauty, strong schools, and an authentic sense of community. Here, neighbors look out for one another, and traditions like the ASP Pumpkin Patch remind you that you’re part of something meaningful — not just a place to live, but a place to belong.