Hantsport poised to capitalize on pumpkin festival excitement

Harvest time in the Valley is mosaic of pumpkin weigh-offs, giant gourd regattas and pumpkin people. As the Pumpkin Fest has evolved into a Valley-wide event, smaller towns and more diverse events have joined the schedule.

This year, the Town of Hantsport is celebrating several October classics during the festival: pumpkin carving; pumpkin contests; feasting; scary stories; and UNICEF fundraising.

Hantsport's pumpkin-centered fun kicks off Saturday, Oct. 20 with a full day of activities. At 3 p.m., a Pumpkin Carving Workshop with Cathy Dunbar takes place at the Hantsport Legion. Between 4-6 p.m., a Halloween Harvest Supper will be held to celebrate locally grown food.

Saturday evening will be spookier than festive. Beginning at 7 p.m., there’s a twilight cemetery tour with Nova Scarcity Storyteller Heather Davidson, complete with thrilling tales of Hantsport’s history.

After the cemetery tour, Susan Carey, Hantsport’s Tourism Director, will guide visitors through historic Churchill House. “Everything looks different at night,” Carey says, “and visitors will have access to areas of the house not included in regular tours. We will explore the more mysterious aspects of the house. There’s one painting that people say moves after midnight on a full moon, for example.”

And the fun continues

Fun continues into the following weekend. Saturday, Oct. 26 will bring a Pumpkin Parade to the Town’s streets. Residents are encouraged to don their Halloween costume and join in the fun. A gathering at Churchill House will follow.

The premiere Hantsport event takes place the following day, Sunday, Oct. 27. Following the Pumpkin Dessert Contest at 3 p.m., there’s an evening of celebrations at Churchill House, hosted by the town crier, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Highlights of the evening’s events are the Smallest Pumpkin Contest and the Gallery of Gourds.

The Gallery of Gourds is a fun, community addition to the Canadian Halloween tradition of fundraising for UNICEF. Pumpkins have been distributed to community groups and businesses throughout the area for decoration. On the evening of the 27th, the decorated gourds will be available for viewing and auction, with all proceeds going to UNICEF.

And what about those tiny pumpkins? Competition is fierce in the Smallest Pumpkin Contest. It may be tempting to substitute a small gourd or an under-ripe pumpkin, but don’t bother!

Contest Judge and Pumpkin Expert Danny Dill will be on the lookout for any fooling around. “I know all the varieties of pumpkins being grown today. It has to be a fully mature pumpkin to be eligible,” Dill says. “There are certain characteristics to mature pumpkins: showing ribs in the pumpkin, a deep orange or deep yellow colour. Most people will grow varieties like Jack Be Little.”

Carey says that Hantsport’s involvement in the Valley Pumpkin Fest began as a way to provide fun community events throughout October. The next two weekends are great celebrations of community and the bounty of history and harvest in the Valley.

For more information on Hantsport events, see www.hantsportnovascotia.com or call 684-9302.