Toronto Pumpkin Parades are back this year at local parks on November 1
TORONTO, ON, October 29, 2021 – Ready, set, GOURD! The Pumpkin Parade returns on Monday, November 1, when more than 35 parks across the city will be lit orange with jack-o’-lanterns that are brought to the park as a collective final farewell to Halloween.
This fun neighbourhood Halloween tradition started at Sorauren Park in 2004 and grew to include neighbourhoods all over the city. This made-in-Toronto tradition allows communities to come together to show off their pumpkin-carving skills.
“It is great to see the return of the Pumpkin Parades to our parks and another sign of the progress we are making confronting COVID-19. This is a great opportunity to safely reconnect with your local community but also to check out the talented pumpkin carvers around the city,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory.
Pumpkin Parades are organized by community organizations, Business Improvement Areas and City councillors. Park permits are provided by Parks, Forestry and Recreation for free, and the City’s Solid Waste Management division provides organic disposal bins to help with post-event cleanup. The pumpkins are picked up by the City after the parades and processed with yard waste to create compost that can be used in City parks and gardens.
“We are happy for the return of this community led initiative. To see Toronto parks come alive with light, laughter and excitement brings a sense of energy back to the city. We are proud to work with local community organizations to continue to support these kind of events,” said Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
See a map of all Pumpkin Parades. Parade attendees are encouraged to post their favourite creations online using the hashtag #PumpkinParades.
The parades were virtual-only in 2020 as a result of the pandemic but return as in-person events this year with extra precautions in place to help keep everyone safe. Attendees should only use designated entry and exit points. Attendees must wear masks when a physical distance of two metres cannot be kept.
Halloween safety tips also apply to Pumpkin Parades. Consider carrying a flashlight or attaching a strip of reflective tape to clothing. Be prepared for wet weather by using caution on wet pathways and sidewalks and steer clear of rivers and streams in parks.
SOURCE City of Toronto
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