As the weather cools and leaves fall in Powell River, the annual Pumpkin Fest is an exciting activity residents look forward to. Every year the community pumpkin-carving extravaganza is held at the Town Centre Mall entrance next to Save-On-Foods.
Pumpkin Fest 2018 features an afternoon of prizes, fun and creativity for the whole family. The event was started by Powell River resident Bill Hopkins, who developed it as a school project.
“I always made sure every kid walked away with something.” said Hopkins.
The event was a huge success and enjoyed widespread community support from families and local businesses that contributed their time and money.
“It's just been a lot of fun to do,” added Hopkins, who has always been active in the community, helping with the annual polar bear swim, Kiwanis Soap Box Derby racing, and racing zucchinis at this year’s Powell River Fall Fair. He said he enjoyed Pumpkin Fest so much he ran it for 12 years.
The festival gathering is now overseen by Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society (PRCYFSS), but Hopkins still helps out, taking photos and handing out prizes.
“We approached him three years ago to see if he would be interested in passing it in on to us,” said PRCYFSS program director Kevin Dodd. “We use this as an opportunity to let the community know who Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services is.”
The emphasis is on a commitment to having families come by and enjoy a fun time together, according to Dodd.
“We are really excited to be able to put on this event,” he said.
A key part of the success of Pumpkin Fest is the support of Save-On-Foods; the business donates all the pumpkins every year, he added.
The pumpkin-carving area is donated by Town Centre Mall. PRCYFSS supplies tables, knives, pumpkins and everything participants might need. Afterwards, everyone is encouraged to bring their masterpieces home.
Contests are held for different categories of pumpkins and prizes are awarded, and volunteers take care of the cleanup, so there is no mess left on the tables at the end of the day.
Pumpkin Fest 2018 is free and everyone is welcome to attend, including families, adults and teens. The event takes place from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday, October 27.
