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Night of 1000 Pumpkins draws thousands; city staff outline multi‑day logistics
Summary
Staff described Night of 1000 Pumpkins as a week‑long effort culminating in an evening event that has drawn between about 3,000 and 5,000 people; staff highlighted volunteer coordination, delivery and staging needs and lightning/safety constraints.
Recreation staff told council that Night of 1000 Pumpkins is no longer a one‑night operation but a week‑long community effort with school groups, scouts and volunteers preparing thousands of pumpkins ahead of the public display.
"We have the thousand to 1,500 pumpkins delivered the week before," Brian Allen said, explaining that volunteers and staff carve and place pumpkins across evening shifts and that the community takes ownership of the event. He recounted the event’s growth: roughly 3,000 attendees in its early year and more than 5,000 in a subsequent year; last year’s rain forced an early closure but still drew roughly 3,000 people.
Councilors asked practical questions about parking, queuing and sheltering during sudden storms or lightning (which forced an early 2025 closure). Staff said the event historically relies on numerous volunteers, school groups and sports teams for setup and that contingency plans (evacuation to the community hall) are part of the safety procedures.
