Floating pumpkins take center stage in Glen Ellyn
Unless pesky natural phenomena get in the way, dozens of carved, lighted pumpkins will bob on the surface of Lake Ellyn Sunday evening, creating an unusual seasonal spectacle.
Organizers at Glen Ellyn Park District are hoping this year's Pumpkin Flotilla Fest will be rain- and cold-free.
“This is the third year the event has been scheduled. Unfortunately, the event was canceled last year due to inclement weather,” said Jeannie Robinson, the district's assistant superintendent of recreation services. “We were not able to reschedule it, but we did have our pumpkin carver come out.”
The resulting giant jack-o'-lantern remained on display at the district's Spring Avenue Recreation Center for weeks, she said.
In 2016, the first year of the flotilla, Robinson said an estimated crowd of 1,500 to 2,000 ventured to the park, a number the district hopes to exceed this year.
While pumpkin-themed events are plentiful in the autumn, Robinson said sending a fleet of carved pumpkins into the water is a fairly novel way to celebrate fall.
“The New York City Central Park Conservancy has a long-running similar event for Halloween. When we saw the event, we thought it would be a great idea for Lake Ellyn,” Robinson said.
“We contacted the organizer of the event and he graciously shared the idea of the pumpkin flotilla with us and then we adapted the event to fit our park and lake.”
Robinson said visitors will have a chance to watch pumpkin-carving demonstrations and try their own hand at it for a $5 fee.
Pumpkin artists also may pre-carve their pumpkins and bring them to the lake Sunday. Registration for flotilla participants is available for a $5 fee.
She said the pumpkins are mounted on wooden platforms with foam-core insulation to make them more buoyant and they are lit with battery-operated tea lights rather than candles.
“We opted for the battery-operated lights to ensure that they stay lit, in case any water got into the pumpkins while on the lake,” Robinson said.
The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with a carving demonstration that continues throughout the event. There also will be food and beverages for sale, inflatable rides, including a pumpkin moon bounce and a 19-foot slide, games and craft projects.
From 4 to 6:15 p.m., the district will present free trackless train and canoe rides. And from 5 to 6 p.m., visitors will be entertained by Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans.
The evening culminates with the pumpkin launch at 6:30 p.m.
“The pumpkin floats are pulled through the lake with a kayak,” Robinson said. “It's a fascinating sight to see the parade of pumpkins on the lake. It's a combination of the creativity of the carved pumpkins with the lights mixed with the atmosphere of fall at the lake, and knowing that the community helped to contribute to the event by bringing their creations for display.”
Pumpkin Flotilla Fest
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21
Where: Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn
Cost: Free for spectators; $5 per pumpkin-contributor to participate
Info: <a href="http://www.gepark.org">gepark.org</a>