The pumpkins are parading again

10 Oct

One of my favorite events of the entire Webster year, Pumpkins on Parade, is returning to the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday Oct. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

This is a super fun and totally free family event where participants stroll along the mile-long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center, which is lined with hundreds of creatively carved, humorous, scary and downright weird jack-o’-lanterns. At the end of the path, there’s free cider and donuts, a bonfire, a family photo area, and for the kids, a hay maze, roller slide and more. And it’s ALL FREE. (Here’s the Facebook event page for more information.) There’s also a shorter path for children and seniors.

The wide variety of designs will blow you away, and the kids will enjoy seeing characters they recognize (I’ve seen Super Mario and Roblox-themed pumpkins, for example). Click here for a photo gallery from last year.

There are some new surprises along the trail this year, too. There are lots of light-up elements, and MAYBE there will be a real witch at the witch’s station handing out candy. The Rec Center will neither confirm nor deny.

Just seeing all the jack-o’-lanterns is fun enough, but the after-hike activities which really make this event a great time for the whole family. There’s so much to do for kids of all ages — which this year included pumpkin tic-tac-toe, pumpkin checkers and pumpkin bowling — and did I mention free cider and donuts???

BUT the success of this event depends on community participation. The Webster Recreation Center needs several hundred carved pumpkins to make the walk amazing. Families, individuals and groups are encouraged to get creative and carve one, two or LOTS more pumpkins. Carved pumpkin drop off is Friday, Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 26 until 2 p.m.  For each carved pumpkin submitted, you’ll be entered to win a Halloween themed basket courtesy of Diamond Collision.

(And while you’re there, stop by the Webster PTSA Coat and Concert Apparel Drive, happening at the Rec Center on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

But 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. 26 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. There will be plenty of parking in the Xerox lots across from the Rec Center.

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(posted 10/10/2024)

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