The Sunfield Farm and Waldorf School in Port Hadlock marked the passage of one season with a bumper crop of specially decorated pumpkins, and is ringing in the start of another season with the opening of two new classrooms on its grounds.

L.B. Rust, office manager for the school, noted the since-concluded display of the elaborately crafted pumpkins, which is open to the public inside the barn, lasts only a few days.

“It’s part of the lantern festival for our families,” Rust said, estimating this year’s lineup included close to 20 pumpkins, right around the typical number of “a couple of dozen” each year.

Rust credited the pumpkins’ intricate carving and embellishments to the school’s students and parents alike, noting that they intentionally stray from the standard Jack O’Lanterns.

“Our tradition is to make little pumpkin houses,” said Rust, who credited the practice to teacher Helen Curry, going two decades back. “When they’re all lit up in the barn, it becomes a beautiful village of magical wonder.”

Sunfield’s own facilities have expanded, due to a growing student body, prompting the installation of modular buildings that provided two new classrooms (and two new bathrooms) for second and third grade.

Rust credited Sunfield’s staff and families with contributing labor to everything from the new sheetrock and light fixtures to decks, railings and ADA-accessible ramps.

“Our grand opening ceremony Nov. 21 is just for our staff and families, but it kicks off the start of our giving campaign, which runs through Jan. 31,” Rust said. “We have expenses that aren’t totally covered by our tuition fees.”

Sunfield’s unique curriculum includes the crafting of tiny model homes, which second- and third-grade teacher Beth Ann O’Dell explained is intended to educate students about different environments around the world, as well as the resources people have to build homes.

Sunfield was also able to help 4-H members prepare their animals for this summer’s Jefferson County Fair, thanks to Curry serving as a 4-H member.

Rust reported Sunfield’s fundraising goal is $25,000.