I always wonder every year how the Webster Recreation Center can make their very popular Pumpkins on Parade event better than the year before. And every year they’ve surprised me.
As usual, the number of jack-o-lanterns lining the one-mile long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center was impressive. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chris Bilow estimated there were at least 600 of them, a good percentage of which were created by community members and dropped off in the last few days. And the activities offered for family fun in the big field at the end of the hike — a slide, “photo booth,” corn maze, a bonfire and free donuts and cider — were a welcome distraction for all the kids who still just wanted to run around in their costumes.
But this year’s trail also featured more twinkly lights, and some new and spooky decorations, many of them sporting an alien theme. It was fun to listen to the reactions of the kids who walked by the glowing green spaceship levitating a cow, and the witches huddled around their cauldron stirring their brew.
Bilow made sure to credit the Webster Parks Department for the new decor. The Recreation Center staff carved a lot of the pumpkins and set them along the path, but the “parks guys” strung the new lights, and created the alien habitat and spooky passageways.
Bottom line, a huge amount of effort by a lot of people makes this community event the success it is every year. Thank you to all, and I challenge you to try to make it even better next year.
I couldn’t take photos of all of the jack-o-lanterns, but click here for a gallery of many of my favorites, and more highlights from the evening.
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(posted 10/29/2023)
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Loved your generous response to the creativity of the children in webster. The staff at parks and rec are great.
Missy I hope you will go through the Webster Museum. Our grandchildren painted the pumpkins and decorated the museum. The Education committee is in charge of the evening , they developed a history/mystery quiz e so parents and children learn about Websters history before they get their treat. We had 535 people go through the museum enjoying themselves. Jan
535! I could see it was busy, but I had no idea. Nicely done.