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Jack-o-Lanterns Needed For Family Friendly Event
In a community Halloween tradition, Boxerwood will once again host its outdoor Pumpkin Walk on Friday and Saturday evenings, Oct. 25 and 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Designed for families with young children as well as the young at heart, the interactive program invites adventurers to step into the magic of the season with glowing pumpkins, shadow puppet shows, story-telling and even a friendly witch dance. The site of all activities is the Boxerwood field, accessed from Munger Lane just off Ross Road, less than a mile from Lexington.
This year’s Pumpkin Walk is free for children and $5 for adults, cash only. For those with Boxerwood membership, entrance is free for two adults. All proceeds support Boxerwood’s environmental educational mission including upkeep of its woodland garden.
“Pumpkin Walk is very dear to our hearts,” said Boxerwood early education coordinator Jess Sullivan who oversees the project along with a team of colleagues and volunteers. “Most of my work is with families and children,” she said, “and little kids especially need a place where they can feel they are part of something wonderful and special – but not scary!”
The outdoor event creates opportunities for families to come together for an evening of community fun and memory-making, she said. “And the creativity from our community is amazing,” she added, noting the program’s many homemade aspects, especially the scores of carved pumpkins that comprise the walk.
“The pumpkins, of course, are the heart of the evening,” said Sullivan, “and we need lots!”
As in the past, anyone and everyone is invited to share their carved pumpkins with Boxerwood for the weekend.
“Part of the great fun of the Pumpkin Walk,” said Sullivan, “is getting together with friends and family to carve those pumpkins ahead of time, dropping them off for display, then wandering around during the Walk to find your pumpkin!”
Those with hand-carved pumpkins may drop them off in the Boxerwood on Thursday, Oct. 24, by driving up Munger Lane (look for the drop-off trailer at the top of the field). Pumpkins may be picked up anytime from the same location starting Sunday, Oct. 27.
In addition to meandering through the woodsy pathways of the Pumpkin Walk, families can also participate in several other activities that evening.
This year puppeteer Sam Camp will entrance audiences with two, 20-minute shadow puppet shows on the Boxerwood outdoor stage, at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. A bevy of community members from Halestone Dance Studio will return this year for familyfriendly witch dances. There will also be surprise musicians, costumed personages, plus an autumn story-telling circle.
For those with outdoor appetites, two food trucks will also be on site offering for purchase simple meals as well as fresh doughnuts and hot cider.
“We could dance and play all night,” reflected Sullivan, “but bedtime comes early for the little ones.” Families may arrive at any time after 5:45 p.m., with the program ending at 8:30 p.m. The Pumpkin Walk is also a fair weather event, with no rain date scheduled. Parking is limited to about 250 cars and for the safety of all cannot be exceeded.
Founded in 2000, Boxerwood Education Association is a grassroots non-profit organization whose goals is to connect people with nature and its care through various community programs, partnerships, and initiatives, including the Pumpkin Walk.
For more information or to offer volunteer help for a two-hour shift either evening of the Pumpkin Walk, contact info@boxerwood. org or visit boxerwood.org/ volunteer.
