15th Annual Pumpkin Palooza Celebrates Halloween Season
October 23, 2024
Events for local families and children, college community open to everyone at no cost
Hudson Valley Community College is again welcoming the greater community to campus for its 15th annual Pumpkin Palooza celebration on Thursday, Oct. 24. All events are free and open to the public.
The highlight of the day-long, Halloween-themed celebration is a family-friendly carnival from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the McDonough Sports Complex Field House. Ideal for children, the carnival includes a variety of games and prizes, music, refreshments, a balloon artist, illusionist, caricature drawing, and more. Each child will receive a ticket for a chance to win one of two brand new bikes in the raffle held during the event.
Each year, hundreds of children and family members come to campus – in costume – to kick off the Halloween season in a safe, indoor environment. Sponsored by the college’s Student Senate, the event has grown to become a fun tradition for neighboring families and friends of the college. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the college’s food pantry, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no cost to attend.
“We are so excited to host Pumpkin Palooza in partnership with our Student Senate once again. Year after year, the event is a fantastic opportunity for children, parents and families – as well as many of our faculty and staff with kids – to enjoy the season and get into the Halloween spirit. It also provides an avenue for our students and the college to give back to the community we serve and to create a fun evening and wonderful memories for neighboring children,” said Officer in Charge Louis Coplin. “Planning and hosting this annual event is something we look forward to every year at HVCC.”
From 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Siek Campus Center, the college will hold its annual Pumpkin Decorating Competition and display dozens of pumpkins decorated by college community members, student clubs, offices and departments. Food and music will be provided during the competition judging. Those looking to participate in the contest can pick up pumpkins at the Student Activities office.
Engineering Science (AS) students will also compete in the annual Pumpkin Launch using catapults they have designed and built. That competition will take place in the courtyard near the Veteran’s Memorial Flagpole from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to groups that hit or come closest to their target.