Pumpkin Walk is quickly approaching

BARRHEAD - Barrhead's annual Pumpkin Walk is just around the corner, and the organizing committee is busy nailing down last-minute details.

Pembina West Co-op general manager Allan Cote started the event nearly 20 years ago when he noticed Barrhead did not have any family-friendly, safe alternatives to trick-or-treating.

Initially, the popular event, which attracts upwards of 4,000 people, moved to Barrhead's Sportsgrounds six years ago when it outgrew its old Paddle River Golf Course location.

This year's event will occur on Friday, Oct. 27. Gates open at 6 p.m. A fireworks show will begin at roughly 8 p.m.

Lambert and a committee of community members took over organizing the event in 2018 after Pembina West Co-op opted out, as they were preoccupied with opening their new food store.

However, she noted that despite bowing out of organizing the event, Pembina West Co-op is still an active participant, saying they not only put in a substantial booth but often donate or co-donate the raw bulk pumpkins with the other grocery store in town, Freson Bros.

This year, the Co-op will be donating the pumpkins.

For the most part, Lambert said the event will feature all the most popular features, such as a Halloween-themed performance by Footworks Dance Academy and post-walk treats such as hot dogs and hot chocolate, but they have added an added wrinkle.

"This year [Barrhead Regional Fire Services] will be bringing their aerial truck and be doing a pumpkin smash," she said.

Lambert added that the fire department put on a similar event during the demolition derby in July when firefighters dropped old computers, furniture, fruit and produce from the fully extended ladder, which extends over 100 feet.

Although Lambert said they have enough volunteers to set up the jack-o-lantern, they could use financial contributions.

"Of course, for the pumpkin walk, they will be smashing pumpkins," she

A workforce of about 10 people will set up the pathway of jack-o-lanterns carved.

Barrhead Elementary School students will carve the majority of pumpkins. Lambert said in the past, other schools have participated, including those who were home-schooled, but the logistics of delivering the pumpkins was just too tricky, so now they limit it mainly to the one school.

At one time, the grocery stores delivered the pumpkins directly to the BES, but due to staff and students' food allergies and disruption to the school's routine, all the pumpkin carving is now done off-site. 

After the jack-o-lanterns are completed, a team of about 10 volunteers pick them up and create the pathway between all the booths.

At the time of the Leader's interview with Lambert on Oct. 16, there were 18 booths already committed, including the Barrhead and District Family Support Service's food bank, which will be collecting non-perishable food donations.

Although Lambert says this year's pumpkin walk is proceeding as planned and that they have all the volunteers they need, the one area they could use help is financial.

"I know this year everyone is feeling the pinch with inflation, and we are no different," she said, adding their insurance to host the event has increased dramatically. "Anything people could do to help us offset our costs would be greatly appreciated."

For more information on how to donate to the pumpkin walk, contact Lambert at 780-294-9181; texts are preferred. People can also keep track of the Pumpkin Walk's progress through their Facebook page, Barrhead Community Pumpkin Walk.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com