On Thursday, October 27, all are invited to celebrate Halloween in Central Park and watch the Harlem Meer glow with 50 floating jack-o’-lanterns. Those interested in having their pumpkin in the pumpkin flotilla must bring a pumpkin that weighs about eight pounds (after it’s already carved), and are asked to drop off their carved creation at between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at their designated drop off area by the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.
The 50 that hit the water are chosen on a first come, first served basis and mini or extra-large pumpkins won’t be accepted.
Here are some other best practices:
- DO bring carved, gutted pumpkins with their tops.
- DON’T bring pumpkins with artificial decorations, such as paint, glitter, marker, food dye, paper, or plastic. They’ll pollute the Harlem Meer and harm the wildlife.
- DON’T bring light bulbs, candles, or floats. (They’ll provide these!)
Pumpkin owners may retrieve their carved pumpkins at the conclusion of the flotilla at 7 p.m. from the Harlem Meer beach near Fifth Avenue and East 108th Street.
The pumpkin flotilla is not the only fun Halloween activity this year. The day before on Wednesday, Oct. 26 there will be Halloween crafts and not-so-spooky stories from 4-7 p.m.
It’s all free to attend, so there’s no reason not to stop by! For all the details on pumpkin guidelines and where to go, click here.
Also published on Medium.