The Pumpkin Patch at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church is a fall tradition in Dunwoody, and every pumpkin you buy helps Dunwoody High School’s robotics team. In Podcast 305, student leader Emmy Knight and parent volunteer Paige Holliman told me how Wildcat5e Robotics works and why the patch matters so much.
The Saint Luke’s Pumpkin Patch at 1978 Mount Vernon Road in Dunwoody, Georgia is the main fundraiser for Wildcat5e, Dunwoody High School’s FIRST Robotics team. It runs from early October through Halloween, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with 3,000+ pumpkins, face painting, games, and a bouncy house.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch the full episode above.
What Is Wildcat5e?
Wildcat5e is Team 6705 in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Every January, the team gets a brand-new game and just six weeks to design, build, and program a robot that can compete in arena-style matches. Students handle fundraising, branding, teamwork, CAD, programming, and fabrication under strict time and resource limits. It’s as close to real-world engineering as most teens can get, and the program spans more than 3,400 teams worldwide.
When Matt asks if these machines are small like TV battle bots, Emmy laughs, the 2025 weight limit was about 115 pounds. Their 2025 game, REEFSCAPE, had teams placing “coral” tubes at different heights and removing “algae” balls to score points. Wildcat5e’s robot, affectionately named Tripping Hazard, used an elevator system to lift game pieces to multiple levels of the reef. Each match has three teams working together, so teamwork and adaptability are key.
How a Dunwoody Robotics Season Runs
Wildcat5e’s build season runs January through early spring. Students brainstorm, prototype, and iterate toward one competition robot, which then travels to two qualifying events. Rankings and alliance selections determine advancement to the Peachtree District Championship and potentially on to Worlds in Houston. In 2025, the team qualified for Districts for the first time in three years, a big win for a student-led program on a lean budget.
After April, they shift into off-season mode with recruiting, skills training, and smaller competitions like GRITS (Georgia Robotics Invitational Tournament and Showcase). Emmy calls GRITS the perfect place for rookies to test their skills in a low-pressure environment.
Why the Pumpkin Patch Is the Lifeblood of Wildcat5e
Building and fielding a competitive FRC robot is expensive. Paige estimates the team will spend nearly $50,000 in 2025 on parts, tools, and materials. If they qualify for Worlds, the entry fee alone exceeds $10,000, which is exactly why the Pumpkin Patch exists. It’s the team’s signature annual fundraiser and a beloved fall tradition for Dunwoody families.
The Pumpkin Patch opens in early October and runs through Halloween at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mount Vernon Road. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 2025 was the fifth year, and the spot near Dunwoody Village gives it great visibility.
What Families Can Expect at the Pumpkin Patch
A truck drops more than 3,000 pumpkins of all sizes and colors. You’ll also find face painting, a craft station with sand art and stickers, yard games like giant Connect Four and Plinko, and the ever-popular bouncy house. Prices are family-friendly, and regulars often come back for round two. (If your family leaves with fewer than three pumpkins, you’re in the minority.)
Those extras turn a quick errand into a real Dunwoody fall moment, where parents linger, kids laugh, and everyone learns a little about robotics.
Visit the Build Site Under the Pumpkin Patch
The team moved its build site to the basement of Saint Luke’s, right under the Pumpkin Patch. On meeting nights (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), visitors can see the robot in progress, and younger kids can try driving a demo bot.
They also host Girl Scout troop events for STEM badges, a proven way to inspire girls to explore mechanical, electrical, and software roles.
Who Leads Wildcat5e
Wildcat5e runs entirely with student leadership. In 2025, leadership includes co-presidents, tech leads (mechanical, programming, electrical), and a business lead who manages outreach and sponsorships. With around 25 members and eight seniors, the team prioritizes freshman recruitment so that knowledge transfers every year.
New to robotics? Stop by a meeting or say hello at the Pumpkin Patch. New members are always welcome.
Building Future Engineers in Dunwoody
FIRST calls itself the “Varsity Sport for the Mind.” Students learn engineering, teamwork, CAD, wiring, and communication under tight deadlines. Wildcat5e has earned awards for safety, quality, and engineering excellence.
Sponsorships and Community Partners
While the Pumpkin Patch is the heartbeat, sponsors keep the program running. Local families and businesses support Wildcat5e through tiered sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze). In return, they get logos on the robot cart, social media shoutouts, and visibility that ties them to one of Dunwoody’s most inspiring youth programs.
Visit wildcat5e.com for sponsor options, photos, and contact info.
Why Programs Like This Matter to Dunwoody Families
As a Dunwoody REALTOR®, I hear families ask what schools offer beyond the classroom. Wildcat5e is a great answer: hands-on engineering, student leadership, and a fall Pumpkin Patch that neighbors in Dunwoody North and Redfield build into their weekend routine.
My Take: Buy your pumpkins here. You get a fun family stop, and the money goes straight to teenagers learning real engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Saint Luke’s Pumpkin Patch
Where is the Pumpkin Patch in Dunwoody?
The Wildcat5e Pumpkin Patch is at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, Georgia.
When is the Saint Luke’s Pumpkin Patch open?
It runs from early October through Halloween, daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What does the Pumpkin Patch raise money for?
It funds Wildcat5e, Dunwoody High School’s FIRST Robotics team, which spends close to $50,000 a season on parts, tools, and events.
Is there anything for kids at the Pumpkin Patch?
Yes. There is face painting, a craft station, yard games like giant Connect Four, and a bouncy house.
How can I volunteer or sponsor Wildcat5e?
Parents and neighbors can help staff the patch, and businesses can sponsor the team. Visit wildcat5e.com for details.