All those Jack-O'-Lanterns need somewhere to go after Halloween, somewhere to be appreciated.
To that end, the Two Rivers Neighbourhood Group is once again holding its Post-Halloween Pumpkin Promenade, a showcase of carved pumpkins. There’ll be awards, and loads of fun.
It happens on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Guelph Little Theatre parking lot on Morris Street. All Jack-O'-Lanterns are welcome, but if you live in the Ward neighbourhood there will be a pickup service.
Alisha Arnold is the neighbourhood support worker for Two Rivers.
“This is an event that was started five years ago by two of our regular volunteers,” Arnold said. “They put it together as a fun Halloween event, and it’s become one of the big fundraisers that we do for our neighbourhood group.”
The group collects donations at the event, sells hot chocolate and glow bracelets. For a nominal fee, visitors can buy little flags used to vote for their favourite pumpkin.
Anyone that wants to participate in the promenade can drop off their Jack-O'-Lantern between noon and 4 p.m. on the day of the event in the Guelph Little Theatre parking lot, whether you want it to be voted on or not.
“If you live in the Ward you can put your pumpkin on the curb and we will drive around on the day of the event and pick them up,” Arnold added. “We pick up as many pumpkins as we can, and usually tons of people will drop them off on the day.”
Two Rivers runs a host of free wellness and recreational programs in the Ward, out of its location in the former Tytler Public School at 131 Ontario Street, lower level. Those include free yoga and Zumba, and martial arts classes. It also hosts potlucks, and four large community dinners each year.
The organization also has a food cupboard and clothing closest that is open to community members.
“We try to run all of our programs completely free,” Arnold said. “Our summer camps aren’t free, but we try to always have a certain amount of subsidized spots that we can offer people. Overall, we are trying to make a bit of a dent in food security, and offering free programming as much as we can to people to encourage overall wellness.”
A live parade band will usher in the start of the Pumpkin Promenade at 6:30 p.m., on Nov. 3. Vote for your favourite carved pumpkin, and wear a costume if you feel so inclined. After the event, local farmers take most of the pumpkins away.
Visit the Two Rivers Neighbourhood Group online at www.tworiversng.ca.
