Some of the pumpkins lining the Aquatic Gardens at Forest Park at the Pumpkin Stroll After Dark.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — In the nights just before Halloween, the Aquatic Gardens at Forest Park were alight with the glow of more than 400 jack-o’-lanterns. The second annual Pumpkin Stroll After Dark, hosted by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, welcomed hundreds of families who leisurely meandered around the pond, enjoying free cider and doughnuts while pointing out their favorite jack-o’-lanterns. This year’s pumpkins were carved by students from Central High School and Springfield Conservatory of the Arts, as well as residents of the Women’s Correctional Center. After the event, the pumpkins were left in the woods for local wildlife to eat.
Top row, from left: Andre and Arvayah Luckey enjoy apple cider donuts while dressed as Spiderman and Michaelangelo of the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles, respectively. Kelsey McDowell stands near some jack-o’-lanterns while holding Isla Pearl McDowell. This jack-o’-lantern is carved to look like Jack Skellington of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Second row: Mike Destasio and Sabrina Destasio hold Teddy Destasio while sitting on a bench. Gina Torres poses with a hanging frame at the Pumpkin Stroll After Dark. Jack-o’-lanterns are lined up around Forest Park’s Aquatic Gardens. Third row: A jack-o’-lantern carved to look like a cat. One jack-o’-lantern displays Casper the Friendly Ghost. Jack-o’-lanterns carved for the Pumpkin Stroll After Dark. Fourth row: A pair of jack-o’-lanterns sit on a desk in Forest Park. Some of the hundreds of pumpkins carved for the Pumpkin Stroll After Dark. A wolf howls on the jack-o’-lantern, lit from beneath with a spotlight. Bottom: This cheeky pumpkin sticks its tongue out.
Reminder publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
You must be logged in to post a comment.