Two years ago, when we were still struggling through the pandemic, Webster Parks and Recreation came up with a terrific new Halloween-time event that got everyone outside, hiking and celebrating the season. It was the very first Pumpkins on Parade, and it proved to be so successful and well-received that the Rec Center has turned it into an annual event.
But this year…. well, this year they’ve gone and made Pumpkins on Parade 100% better.
The path itself won’t be much changed from previous years; the mile-long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center will once again be lined with hundreds of creatively carved, illuminated jack-o-lanterns. The wide variety of humorous, scary and downright wierd designs will blow you away. They’ll also have a much shorter path again this year for seniors and small children to enjoy.
But this year, the fun stuff participants will find at the end of the walk has been greatly expanded. The Webster Rotary will be there handing out candy, there’ll be music, a kids’ slide, a mini hay maze, a bonfire, free cider and donuts from Herman’s Farm Market, a family photo area and kids’ activities from Diamond Collision.
Plus, professional pumpkin carver Eric Jones, the star of the Food Network’s Halloween Wars and Outrageous Pumpkins, will be on site carving 3D pumpkins. It’s like a big Halloween festival.
BUT the success of this event depends on community participation. The Webster Recreation Center needs several hundred carved pumpkins to make the walk amazing. The need is so great that the Rec is actually offering to buy multiple pumpkins for any business or organization that wants to do some carving. You can pick them up at the Rec on Monday Oct. 24 and return them by the 28th. If you’re interested, email Katie Kovar at kkovar@ci.webster.ny.us with your contact information and how many you’d like.
Families and individuals are also encouraged to provide pumpkins, of course. Carved pumpkin drop off is Friday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 29 from noon to 2 p.m. Every carved pumpkin gets a raffle ticket entry for a prize basket.
Even if you don’t want to carve a pumpkin, make sure to bring your family out for the event. Pumpkins on Parade takes place from 7 to 8 :30 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 29 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. There’s absolutely no charge.
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(posted 10/14/2022)
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Hi Katie
I have my grandson living with us and I would like to have 3 pumpkins.
Thank you
Leda Bechle
Leda, this has to go directly to Katie, not me 🙂