Prattville’s Parade of Pumpkins returns for the sixth year
Downtown Prattville is filled with thousands of pumpkins as the sixth annual Parade of Pumpkins returns again this year. Students from local schools and senior citizens groups painted creative designs – like cartoon characters, animals, and heroes from their favorite movies – on the pumpkins that are displayed. The entire downtown area has been transformed into a Halloween wonderland with the Glow Trail, live bands playing, and even a butterfly garden. This year, Harvest Haven is a new attraction, and half a dozen food trucks are parked around the area and filled with delicious delicacies. Last year more than 75,000 people attended the Parade of Pumpkins.
Lisa Byrd is Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie’s Executive Assistant, and she had the idea to start the event six years ago.
“This is who Prattville is. Prattville is all about community and family, and (it is great) to have a free event in our community that anybody can participate in. Paint a pumpkin at home, paint a pumpkin at school, and come down here and bring it and just anybody can walk through. There is no limit to who can participate in this event and be able to come out walk around and enjoy the family environment, ” said Byrd.
Kevin Gallagher is from Naperville, Illinois and is passing through on his way to the beach. “We are from (near) Chicago and on our way to Florida, and we always stop in Prattville and spend the night you know because it fits well. We came down this time in October, and I had no idea this was out here. The road was close, so we came over here, and I’m like look at the pumpkins! And it’s pumpkin fest, so apparently it’s a big deal down here! It’s so fun! They have a whole kid area over – how nice is that,” said Gallagher.
The parade of pumpkins takes place every evening from 5 until 9 through October 31.
