Families Enjoy a Spooky-Good-Time at the 22nd Annual Pumpkins on Parade event

The 22nd annual Pumpkins on Parade festival was held on the 22nd of October this year at .

Overflow parking was in the business complex across the street, and by 6:30 p.m. it was nearly full. 

The atmosphere walking from the parking lot into the park was filled with excitement, mystery, and fun. From the amount of activities going on, it is no surprise that the attendance was so high.

“Pumpkins on Parade first started out in front of the Upper Moreland Public Library and township building," Katie Koller, programs coordinator for the township's Parks and Recreation Department, said. "Decorated pumpkins lined the sidewalk from one street corner to the other, which is where the name of the festival comes from.”

The first things families encountered when entering the park were a hayride filled with smiling kids and a concession truck. Beyond that was the registration booth, where five dollars paid for access to everything the festival had to offer.  A nearby sign listed the directions of all activities.

From the entrance to the park, visitors could see the gazebo decorated with orange lights, where spooky storytelling was conducted by two grandmotherly witches.

Just beyond the registration desk, the basketball court was the stage for scarecrow building, face painting and a moon bounce.  This was the brightest place in the park.

To the right, the miniature Safety Town served as a trick-or-treat center and haunted house, adorned with cobwebs, volunteers in costume and scarecrows.

Next to that was a pavilion that hosted pumpkin painting and a makeshift pumpkin patch, from which families chose their perfect canvas.

“We’ve been coming here for the last four years,” Angela Malave said, who with her husband Wil, brought their daughter. “It’s a blast, and a great event for the kids.  It brings the community together.” 

The event is paid for with the admission fees, with the rest of the costs offset by the Parks & Rec Department.