We're reviving the Pumpkin Walk and blazing a brand new trail for this year’s comeback event!
The Walk, especially popular with young families, will take place on two evenings: Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29, from 6 to 8:30p.
The glow-in-the-dark spectacle will feature scores of carved pumpkins illuminating a secret path through the wooded area behind our field!
While exploring Boxerwood by jack-o-lantern light, families can also learn a Witches Dance, hear Tamara Teaff tell spooky stories, jive to the Pumpkin Pickers jam (Friday night only), and gawk at larger-than-life creatures made by Mark Cline. Fresh cider and donuts will be available for purchase. And everyone’s invited to enter a guess in the candy corn-counting contest. Winner takes the whole jar!
Admission for the event is $10 per family for non-members; Boxerwood member families receive a $5 discount. Families who would like to attend but don’t have the extra money this month can stop by the library in downtown Lexington to pick up a free pass, courtesy of Rockbridge Community Health Foundation.
Pumpkins will light up more than just the Walk. Also on display will be pumpkin “scenes” carved by community members and groups competing for this year’s Lantern Trophy. Walkers will have a chance to vote on their favorites with dollar donations that go to Boxerwood. The winner will be announced on Saturday night.
Click here for to fill out our entry form for the carving competition. Donated pumpkins are now available for groups that request them.
Boxerwood has also put out a call for old-fashioned, one-headed jack-o-lanterns. “We need plenty to help light up the path,” notes Jess Sullivan, the event coordinator. “We’re asking local artists, families, scouts, co-workers, campus groups – anyone willing to carve pumpkins – to bring them to Boxerwood before the event.”
In response, local volunteer Mollie Fox will host a free Carve-A-Palooza party on Thursday, October 27 from 2-5pm and again on Friday, October 28 from 10am to noon on the hill next to Waddell at the corner of Jordan and Highland Streets. Participants should bring pumpkins if they can. The host will supply carving tools and transport the carved pumpkins to the nature center.
Bring flashlights and an extra layer of clothing! If both evenings are canceled for rain, the Pumpkin Walk will be held on Sunday, October 30 from 6-8:30. Watch the website for weather updates!
