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Spark the Community Spirit at Gardengate's Pumpkins of Light Event
October 31, 2023
Upcoming Events
In the spooky spirit of Halloween, the Open Door Group - Gardengate team, along with our participants, volunteers, and community partners, organized the 'Pumpkins of Light Festival' on Thursday, October 26. This is an annual family-friendly, free, and public event, hosted by the Gardengate team and our supportive community members. Despite the unexpected chilly weather in Kamloops, this year's event warmly welcomed over a thousand enthusiastic participants!
The Pumpkins of Light Festival is a heartwarming tradition at Gardengate that unites our community and fosters well-being. The preparations for this year's festival kicked off early in the year as our dedicated Gardengate participants and volunteers planted, nurtured, and harvested over 700 pumpkins, each with its own unique colors, shapes, and varieties, from small Jack-Be-Little pumpkins to ghostly white Caspers, elegant Cinderellas, and more. Roughly half of these wonderful pumpkins made their way into the hands of the program's volunteers, participants, local school children, and community members, all of whom carved them into creative pieces. These pumpkins then took center stage at the 'Pumpkins of Light Festival,' illuminating the night and creating an enchanting atmosphere for everyone to enjoy!
Photos of Gardengate's harvested pumpkins and a a pumpkin being carved for the Event at Gardengate Kamloops, Oct 26th, 2023.
We were proud to display more than 300 creatively carved pumpkins generously contributed by community members, family, volunteers, and participants. These pumpkins created a warm and inviting glow over the Gradengate’s venue during the evening of Oct 26th. This year’s event successfully welcomed around 1,000 community members in Kamloops, all joining us for a night filled with laughter, fun, and inspiration. According to our Gardengate Program Manager, Robert Wright, the commitment to cultivating and distributing pumpkins isn't just about creating a festive atmosphere; it's also about promoting food security within our community. In addition to our glowing pumpkin patch, the event featured produce sales and a donation-based 'ginormous pumpkins' section, raising funds to support future program initiatives.
Photo of Gardengate's produce sales at Pumpkins of Light Festival, Kamloops, Oct 26th, 2023.
These projects align perfectly with Gardengate's mission, which focuses on promoting mental wellness, skills development, and food security for individuals facing mental health challenges. The program provides a safe, inclusive space for healing and recovery, making a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of participants and volunteers annually. It empowers individuals to develop valuable skills, enhances their physical and mental well-being, and fosters a profound sense of purpose and accomplishment through horticultural activities.
Photo of Gardengate's visitors at Pumpkins of Light Festival, Kamloops, Oct 26th, 2023.
The Pumpkins of Light Festival event wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of every team member, participant, and volunteer who played invaluable roles. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our team members and the Kamloops community for your unwavering trust, support, and participation in the work we do!
More information on Gardengate horticulture program
Check-out upcoming events organized by Open Door Group
#CommunityEvent #PumpkinsOfLightFestival #Gardengate #OpenDoorGroup #PumpkinCarving #KamloopsEvents #Halloween
The Pumpkins of Light Festival is a heartwarming tradition at Gardengate that unites our community and fosters well-being. The preparations for this year's festival kicked off early in the year as our dedicated Gardengate participants and volunteers planted, nurtured, and harvested over 700 pumpkins, each with its own unique colors, shapes, and varieties, from small Jack-Be-Little pumpkins to ghostly white Caspers, elegant Cinderellas, and more. Roughly half of these wonderful pumpkins made their way into the hands of the program's volunteers, participants, local school children, and community members, all of whom carved them into creative pieces. These pumpkins then took center stage at the 'Pumpkins of Light Festival,' illuminating the night and creating an enchanting atmosphere for everyone to enjoy!
Photos of Gardengate's harvested pumpkins and a a pumpkin being carved for the Event at Gardengate Kamloops, Oct 26th, 2023.
We were proud to display more than 300 creatively carved pumpkins generously contributed by community members, family, volunteers, and participants. These pumpkins created a warm and inviting glow over the Gradengate’s venue during the evening of Oct 26th. This year’s event successfully welcomed around 1,000 community members in Kamloops, all joining us for a night filled with laughter, fun, and inspiration. According to our Gardengate Program Manager, Robert Wright, the commitment to cultivating and distributing pumpkins isn't just about creating a festive atmosphere; it's also about promoting food security within our community. In addition to our glowing pumpkin patch, the event featured produce sales and a donation-based 'ginormous pumpkins' section, raising funds to support future program initiatives.
Photo of Gardengate's produce sales at Pumpkins of Light Festival, Kamloops, Oct 26th, 2023. These projects align perfectly with Gardengate's mission, which focuses on promoting mental wellness, skills development, and food security for individuals facing mental health challenges. The program provides a safe, inclusive space for healing and recovery, making a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of participants and volunteers annually. It empowers individuals to develop valuable skills, enhances their physical and mental well-being, and fosters a profound sense of purpose and accomplishment through horticultural activities.
Photo of Gardengate's visitors at Pumpkins of Light Festival, Kamloops, Oct 26th, 2023. The Pumpkins of Light Festival event wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of every team member, participant, and volunteer who played invaluable roles. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our team members and the Kamloops community for your unwavering trust, support, and participation in the work we do!
More information on Gardengate horticulture program
Check-out upcoming events organized by Open Door Group
#CommunityEvent #PumpkinsOfLightFestival #Gardengate #OpenDoorGroup #PumpkinCarving #KamloopsEvents #Halloween
