Once trick-or-treating is over and the Halloween costumes have been stowed, area residents are invited to drop their carved and painted pumpkins off at Innisfil Beach Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1.
Then they can bring their family members back for the third annual Pumpkin Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. that night.
Marj Mossman, who is affectionately known as the "Pumpkin Princess," is eager to give community members one last chance to enjoy the fun and artistry of this year’s jack-o’-lanterns, as they will be placed on both sides of the trail, complete with battery-operated tea lights.
“Everybody is welcome,” Mossman said of the free walk, which is quickly becoming a tradition in other cities such as Toronto and Hamilton.
Following the event, farmers will collect the pumpkins for use in compost, or to feed cattle and poultry.
“It’s a community event and a win-win situation,” Mossman said.
The event is sponsored by the Innisfil Historical Society, the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library, Clean Up Innisfil, the Rotary Club of Innisfil, and the Innisfil Arts, Culture and Heritage Council. Volunteers from the sponsoring organizations will be joined by 16 local high school students who will earn community service hours for their efforts.
More than 600 pumpkins were donated for last year’s walk, and Mossman hopes that the town can surpass that amount this time around.
“I like to see families enjoying themselves and kids laughing,” she said.
