Pumpkin Walk

After a few weeks of programs, hikes, and events, I hope to have the blog back on track; thank you to those that have been asking "What's going on?  Where are the updates?"  Thankfully, we are just that busy!

 Although I have many items I want to focus on, today's the day that the Pumpkin Walk will be showcased.  What an exciting event we hosted!  Planned to the tiniest detail and well-run by the Erie County Master Gardeners, the First Annual Pumpkin Walk was held on Saturday, October 6th from 5pm - 9pm.  The goal was pure fun - a 1/2 mile walk through our trails, lined with over 500 carved jack O'lanterns.  Setup the week prior was a intricately designed schedule of pumpkin drop-offs, pick-ups, and groupings.

Thankfully, the weather was cooperative for the preparation!

However, to keep all participants and volunteers on their toes, Saturday dawned cold and cloudy.  By cold I mean the low 40's.  Farenheit.  And windy.  The volunteers were not deterred (perhaps the temperature kept them moving at a quick clip?) and their enthusiasm did not wane.  As the trails came together and the carved faces were placed just-so, everyone could see their hard work come to fruition.  By 5pm, the trails were ready, Jack (and Jill) O' lanterns were grinning and lit, tables were decorated and ready in the pavilion, and even the Fire Department was in attendance for safety and to educate the public about Fire Prevention (October is Fire Prevention Month).

All carvers, from the youngest Kindergartener to the Art Club at Edinboro University, had a great time preparing their carvings for the event.  These displays were creativity and imagination at their best.

 

I mean, how fun is this?  So many ideas for carving our own pumpkins at home!

 

 

The leaves are quite green in this photo, belying the actual colors that are rainbow-ing our area at this time.  The weather that evening turned out to be spectacular, cool and dry, perfect for a hike and family fun.

 

Many may wonder "What do you DO with over 500 pumpkins when you don't need them any longer?"  To begin with, the pumpkins came from many locations.  Some were cultivated and donated by the Master Gardeners.  A majority were purchased from local farmers in an effort to support our friends and neighbors.  This collaborative effort produced a fantastic event that was attended by over 1,600 people!  All funds collected benefited the educational outreach efforts of the Master Gardeners.  But, what happened to the pumpkins?

 

 



Wonderfully, all of these gourds were relocated the next morning to a deer farm in New York, just over the state line from Headwaters Park.  We did compost a few on site for demonstration, but the rest made a great number of deer quite happy.  So, no landfill for these goulish gourds!  We had a spectacular time coordinating this event and hope to see everyone in 2013!