Cochranites, get ready to sharpen your knives and start carving those pumpkins . . . for a good cause.
Cochrane High School will be hosting its inaugural Pumpkin Lantern Festival at the end of the month, inviting all individuals and businesses to show off their skills to help raise funds for the student council.
“The students are always looking for a way to raise money that contributes and connects them with the community and this idea was sort of born out of that idea,” said Darlene Clarkson, parent of the Student Council.
The idea was inspired by Tofino, B.C.’s, annual Pumpkin Lantern Festival. Clarkson said it seemed like a great community event to raise funds for a good cause and to also give back to the community as well.
The plan for the festival is to try get as many pumpkins as possible to light up the Cochrane Ranch heritage site, student council parent Vanessa Fischbuch explained.
“We want to light up as many trails as possible – the students do so much within the community on their own as well as within the school and it would be awesome if the community could support the students and this event,” Fischbuch said.
While creative and spooky pumpkins are encouraged, Clarkson said people should not be put off if their pumpkin-carving skills are not up to par.
“The simply-carved pumpkins are encouraged and really important – it is more about lighting up the ranch for a fun event and supporting local youth to take initiative, than it is about carving elaborate pumpkins,” Clarkson said.
“It is about creating a fun night – submit any kind of pumpkin and come and enjoy the night.”
Carvers will also be allowed to take their pumpkins home at the end of the night, or they have the option of donating their creations, which will be donated to either the Goblin Gathering hosted by the Town of Cochrane or the annual Haunted House at the Spray Lake Sawmills Sports Family Centre.
“For businesses looking to enter their pumpkins it is great exposure for them because people will see their pumpkins at the [festival] and potentially two other events – they have the opportunity to support two local events and it’s a fun way for them to get publicity,” Fischbuch said.
Funds raised through the entry fees or by donation, will go towards the student council at Cochrane High, where the youth are looking to buy furniture for student hangouts in the school.
“They want to contribute [and] they want to give back and share in raising money – hopefully the kids can continue to do this on a yearly basis and contribute more to the school as they go,” explained chair of school council Christina Singeris.
The festival wall also host local and live entertainment with a bonfire, a food truck on site and prizes for pumpkins; $150 first prize and $100 for three runner-ups at $50 each. Guests are also encouraged to dress up, as there will be prizes for weird and wonderful costumes.
“The more pumpkins the merrier,” Fischbuch said.
The Pumpkin Lantern Festival goes at Cochrane Ranch Park on Oct. 30 from 6-9 p.m with entry fees by donation. Organizers are asking carvers to have their registration forms filled out by Oct. 28.
Carved pumpkin entry fee is:
Students - $10/pumpkin
Adult/Business - $20/pumpkin
No maximum entry amount. Carvers can also arrange to have their pumpkins picked-up the day of, if the person is not able to drop it off.
For more information or for registration forms contact Darlene at [email protected] or Vanessa at [email protected]
