NOTE: This Post was written in 2016. This event is held on an annual basis in October. Please check out their website for up-to-date information.
I love that our town puts on so many special events, and this is one of my favorites: the Jack-o-lantern Festival. The event is now in its 16th year!
This year the event was held on October 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the town green.
Admission to the event depended on whether or not you choose to carve a pumpkin. With a carved pumpkin, each child paid only $5. Without the pumpkin, it is $10. When you pay the fee, your child is given a wristband and goody bag, and they can then participate in trick or treating, face painting, games and using the bounce houses. The fee is ONLY for children participating in the activities. Parents are free. They encourage everyone to bring a carved pumpkin.
Of course, our pumpkin was Thomas the train.
As you can see, the kids dress up in their Halloween costume for this event. And what else did my child go as? That’s right, a train conductor.
The trick or treating is set up around a big tent, and local businesses come out and set up their own station, handing out candy, coupons and other goodies. They also have a face painting station, included with your admission.
The goody bags are labeled with each station’s number, and as the kids go through each line, they mark the station.
It was fun trick or treating, and getting lots of candy! This year, since he’s almost 2 and a half, my boy enjoyed this a lot more- and he understood that he was getting some good candy.
Also included with your admission is a raffle game: the wheel of chance. Every child gets to spin and wins a prize!
There are a few food vendors at the event, and the prices are very reasonable. We had to get some fried dough!
They also have a DJ at this event, bounce houses and lots of games. Being that he is only two, my child didn’t get into that as much. Maybe next year…
We did get to go on a hay ride though! That was fun!
Of course though, the big attraction of the whole night was the jack-o-lanterns. There are a lot. There are some creative people in this town, and some very talented!
They are beautiful when the dark skies fell and they lit up the night!
The jack-0-lanterns are judged as well, so if you do bring a pumpkin you have a chance at winning the best carved pumpkin. There was some stiff competition this year and although I didn’t win, the ones that did absolutely deserved it!
This is a great annual event and I’m so proud our town puts this on every year. Be sure to watch our calendar of events next October for details about the 17th Annual Enfield Jack-O-Lantern Festival!
This about sums it up…
Address:
Enfield Green, 820 Enfield Street – Enfield, CT
Hours:
October 15, 2016 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost:
Children: $5 with a carved pumpkin or $10 without, if they are participating in the activities.
Adults are free.
Features:
- Dress in your Halloween Costume!
- Watch the weather- this year it was warm when we arrived but it does get cool as the sun sets, so you’ll want to bring a sweatshirt or jacket.
- Stroller Friendly!
- Parking is available at the Town Hall- we like to park across the street at the bank and alot of people park in the surrounding area
- Port a potties only- no changing tables
- Food available for sale
- Bring cash for admission and food trucks
- Bring your camera!
