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Date: 10/5/2022
HAMPDEN – Something spooky is coming to Memorial Park in Hampden. The Parks and Recreation Commission has organized the inaugural Hampden Family Spooktacular on Oct. 22, from 3 to 8 p.m., with a rain date of Oct. 23.
The idea for the event was born in late August when a resident suggested to Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Carrie Joseph that the town have a pumpkin festival. “It just kind of snowballed from there,” Joseph said.
Joseph said the most challenging part of organizing the event has been the limited amount of time and the need for volunteers to help. She and co-organizer Laura Salerno have been working over the past month to put the seasonal occasion together.
The Hampden Family Spooktacular will feature several games for children and families including tic-tac-toe, checkers and guessing a pumpkin’s weight. There will also be a photo booth on site, and Joseph said the commission is working on bringing in a food truck for refreshments.
From 3 to 5 p.m., there will be trunk-or-treating, during which children can visit decorated vehicles and receive treats. Joseph said there are open spaces for more vehicles. People with decorated trunks should set up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the grassy overflow parking area. To reserve a spot for a trunk or treat vehicle, call 246-3606.
With the sunset at 6 p.m., a stacked pyramid of jack-o’-lanterns will be lit.
To create the pumpkin pyramid, the Hampden Park and Recreation Commission is looking for donations of decorated or carved pumpkins. In the interest of safety, the commission is asking people to include a battery-operated tea light for each pumpkin donated, rather than a traditional candle.
“We’re hoping for a lot of pumpkins,” Joseph told Reminder Publishing. “I’d love to get 100 pumpkins, but we’ll take as many as we can get.” Pumpkins can be dropped off at the park between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day of the event.
“If this goes well, we’ll try to do more events like this,” Joseph said.” Hopefully, next year it will grow.”
Memorial Park is located at 495 Main St, Hampden. For more information on the Parks and Recreation Commission, visit https://www.hampdenma.gov/parks-recreation.