A Penticton woman is inviting the public to show off their pumpkin carving skills with one last light up on Nov. 1 along Okanagan Lake near The Peach concession.
Jodi-Lynn Laird gleaned the idea off a similar event held in Nanaimo and another held at Toronto parks that her family takes part in. The public is invited to bring their pumpkins down to the area near the concession around 6 p.m. and enjoy everyone’s pumpkin art until 8:30 p.m. At the end the owners of the pumpkins must collect and properly dispose of their pumpkins themselves.
“I think it will be an awesome event to see all of these pumpkins lit up one last time. I have never seen anything like this in the Okanagan. I thought it would be a unique event and interesting to try out,” she said. “I hope to see a good couple hundred out there. It will look really neat. On the island there is a road that is lit right up with the pumpkins and it is quite a sight.”
She posted the idea to host Penticton’s first pumpkin graveyard walk to social media and immediately received positive feedback.
“It has been challenging to get going, I tried calling the city to see if we could get some sort of disposal area for the pumpkins, but haven’t heard back. With so many people messaging me to see if this was going to happen I didn’t want to let anyone down so we said lets’ do it anyways,” said Laird.
While she is calling it a pumpkin graveyard walk, Laird is reminding everyone it will not be the final resting place for the gourds.
“I just really want to stress that everyone who brings a pumpkin must take it away and dispose of it properly. We want this to become a tradition and need everyone’s co-operation.”
Laird said the public can bring their pumpkins down to the staging area starting at 6 p.m. If you plan to light your pumpkin you will also have to bring your own candles. Laird also suggests the alternative of using glow sticks, just in case it is windy out.
“I think this will be a great family-friendly, all-ages, accessible event. I want everyone to participate whether they are bringing pumpkins down or just want to come and view. Please remember to dress warm because it will be along the waterfront area. If it is a success, well, then we will do it again next year and hopefully make it a bigger event.”