Westerly Sun Column | Fall Fest Returns to Wilcox Park Oct. 24

Fall is in full swing, which always means there is no shortage of activities to take part in! It’s a beautiful time of year for hiking and mini road trips to admire the foliage, for pumpkin picking and decorating, and for filling your stomach with cider and seasonal goodies. Not to mention all of the Halloween-related activities, from helping your child create the perfect K-Pop Demon Hunters costume (anyone else?), to numerous costume contests and Trunk or Treats throughout the month of October. With all of the excitement, we want to remind you now to add our 4th Annual Fall Fest and Pumpkin Stroll to your busy calendar; it’s basically like 5 events in one, and the perfect way to celebrate fall.

This year, Fall Fest will take place on Friday, October 24, from 4:00-6:00pm in Wilcox Park. We will have a range of activities for all ages, including the ever-popular Pumpkin Stroll, featuring pumpkins decorated by the public. Attendees are invited to walk around and admire the talent and creativity of our community members, and then cast your vote for your favorite creations. As you do so, you can also admire the natural beauty of Wilcox Park, especially as the leaves begin to change colors and fall from the trees. We will have a festive backdrop set up where you can take individual or family photos, and our staff will also be taking Polaroid photos to help you capture the moment.

So, we have pumpkins and foliage and a lovely stroll (hopefully) outdoors…all we need are the seasonal goodies and some Halloween fun. Well, wouldn’t you know it, there will be plenty of both of those at Fall Fest as well! Each year, we provide free cider and donuts to attendees, though we recommend arriving on the early side because we will inevitably run out by the end. Costumes are also HIGHLY encouraged. It’s a great chance to test out your Halloween costume before the big day, or re-wear one that you loved in the past. At 5:00pm, everyone can show off during a Costume Parade around the fountain.

If you are interested in decorating a pumpkin to the stroll, sign up begins this Friday, October 17. You can sign up with your own pumpkin, or stop by the library to pick up a free pumpkin while supplies last. Following the Pumpkin Stroll, the decorated pumpkins will be displayed in the United Theatre’s front window until after Halloween.

If you have any questions about Fall Fest or the Pumpkin Stroll, please contact us at (401) 596-2877 x306. Thank you to Benjamin Delaney for generously sponsoring the refreshments and pumpkins for this event. Now, go mark your calendars and begin brainstorming your pumpkin theme!

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian