BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Jack-o’-lanterns will be lighting up Winooski this weekend.
Locals say the festival of pumpkins is about seeing yourself and your neighbors reflected in your community – pumpkin style.
The air is crisp as friends Peggy Mcginn, Debbie Hale, and Sharanda Hilliker search for the perfect pumpkin.
They met at Great Cedars – a 55 and older living community up the street from Winooski Senior Center.
“We’ve been living in the same building for a little while here, and we become friends, and we’ve just been going on little outings. And this was one that Peg thought of, and we thought it was a good idea to do with the grandkids,” said Hilliker.
Folks filtered through the senior center all week, picking up pumpkins to carve in-house or at home.
This weekend, they’ll light up Rotary Park with over 1,000 glowing faces and funky designs.
Locals like to spot their own masterpieces in the mix, like young artist Harper Burds’ ambitious Olaf.
Among the pumpkins, visitors can play carnival games, catch live music, and trick or treat at surrounding businesses on Saturday.
Organizer Robin Merritt says the annual event put on by city officials and nonprofits is a seasonal boost for all.
“It’s been just a source of pride for the city of Winooski, for our community, and it really just gets people down to Rotary Park and our downtown businesses,” said Merritt.
With many Halloweens under their belt, the three musketeers will let Debbie’s grandkids lead the carving.
They’ll use a special trick inspired by a favorite treat.
“You paint them the different colors of M&M’s,” said Hale.
“And then you put the M’s on their faces like you see on the commercial,” said Hilliker.
“What an amazing thing to do for the community. Really, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s very exciting,” said Mcginn.
Organizers ask you to return carved pumpkins to the senior center by 4 pm on Friday.
You can catch the display through Sunday night.