By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Westborough – A seasonal event introduced last year will return Saturday, Oct. 27, when the Westborough Garden Club hosts its second annual Pumpkin Wall. Once again, the community is invited to display carved pumpkins on the stone wall bordering Bay State Green at 10 Union St. New this year, four creators of carved pumpkins will each win a $10 Amazon gift card, noted Julie Reilly, the club’s vice president and event chair.
“We all know people love competition and a prize,” she said with a laugh.
Awards will be presented for the jack-o-lanterns deemed most creative, funniest, scariest, and best representation of an organization or business. Pumpkins should be brought to the park between 5 and 5:45 p.m. Judging will take place at 6 p.m. The display will be open for public viewing from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event’s inaugural year featured about 30 jack-o-lanterns illuminated by glow sticks or battery-operated candles. Among the pumpkin designs were the Westborough High School Rangers’ team “W” emblem, as well as the town’s 300th-anniversary celebration logo. Club members are hopeful that their Pumpkin Wall will help the perpetuation of town spirit exhibited during the 2017 milestone festivities.
“Westborough’s huge 300th celebration really brought the community together,” Reilly recalled. “The garden club is trying to piggyback on that invigoration in the town. We’re expanding on this year’s Pumpkin Wall by inviting businesses to carve pumpkins. It will bring recognition to the businesses and get the community more aware of what Westborough has to offer.”
Pumpkin Wall will be held rain or shine. Glow sticks will be provided and attendees are encouraged to bring flashlights. The club will collect nonperishable items at the event such as peanut butter and canned pasta to be donated to the Westborough Food Pantry. Pumpkins must be retrieved that night by 8:30 p.m.
“We’re hoping the Pumpkin Wall is a huge success,” Reilly said. “We’d love to keep doing it every year as long as people are interested.”
Additionally, tickets will be available during Pumpkin Wall for the club’s “Holiday Festival with Local Flair” to be held Wednesday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m., at Mill Pond School. Scheduled guest speakers are Chris Bakutis of Mugford’s Flower Shoppe, Faris Castin of Faris Farm Flowers and Emily Harvey of Harvey’s Farm.
For more information about the club, visit gcfm.org/westboroughgardenclub or on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Westborough-Garden-Club-410833582271466/.
