HARDWICK — October 6 marked the 20th anniversary of Hardwick’s annual Pumpkin Walk.
Helen Beattie of the Hardwick Trails Committee has been volunteering since the beginning. The trails were created 22 years ago and Beattie says that “The Pumpkin Walk was a way to get people interested in visiting . . .”
Now, 20 years later, Beattie believes the event is popular “Because it has become a multi-generational event. Students who once carved pumpkins are now bringing their children. Approximately 500 people attend every year. It’s so magical and showcases the work of Hardwick children.”
Initially, members of the trails committee harvested the pumpkins for the walk. Now pumpkins are purchased from Slice of Earth Farmstand in Wolcott. They’re stored in an air conditioned and dehumidified log cabin behind Hazen Union until the night of the walk when volunteers line the trails with pumpkins starting at 4:30 p.m.
A bonfire had been built with wood donated by Dave’s Sawmill by the time the first visitors arrived at 6 p.m.
Volunteers offered freshly-made donuts from Buffalo Mountain Market and Hannaford’s cider to guests after they walked the first part of the trail lit by pumpkins.
Lynn Angebranndt celebrated her fourth year doing refreshments for the event and helping at Hardwick Elementary the week before to carve pumpkins. “It’s so fun and very family-friendly. People come from all over, even Canada,” she said.
Norma and Ron Wiesen of the Hardwick Trails Committee have volunteered for 20 years and believe that the event’s popularity is due to the “involvement of all the elementary school students.”
Lesa Cathcart, a former Head Start teacher has dressed as a friendly witch telling non-spooky stories by the bonfire for 20 years. She started bringing her students to the event and said, `“What’s not to love?! It’s good for kids to participate in their community.”
The Allen Family of Hardwick, whose three boys attend Hardwick Elementary School, shared that the event “feels magical and awesome!”
James Lockhart, art teacher at Hazen, has carved the large pumpkin welcoming visitors at the entrance to the walk for a number of years.
The Wiesens expressed their appreciation for Beth LeCours, the Hardwick Elementary School art teacher. “Beth has been doing this for 20 years and making sure each kid gets to carve a pumpkin.”
A trails committee member acknowledged Lesa Cathcart saying; “No one can deny Lesa. She is great and the children love her.”
By 8 p.m., the fire was dying down while a few families were still looking for the pumpkins their students had carved. Candles in some of the pumpkins were going out while volunteers were packing up leftover supplies and talking about next year’s Pumpkin Walk.
Olivia Saras is an intern in her senior year at People’s Academy in Morrisville.