There were 548 pumpkins collected for the annual Pumpkin Parade in downtown Port Hope on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Held every year on the day after Halloween, the popular community event once again brought people together to give their carved jack-o’-lanterns one final opportunity to shine.
Residents brought their pumpkins to Lent’s Lane between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., where volunteers helped collect and arrange them in rows along the lane.
As darkness approached, the pumpkins, each with their own unique designs and expressions, created an outdoor gallery of Halloween creativity for the hundreds of people who came out to view them.
Barbara Bell, who proudly refers to herself as the self-appointed Pumpkin Princess, said the idea originated with a woman in Toronto approximately 30 years ago.
What began as a neighbourhood event in a Toronto park has since spread to communities across Canada.
Bell said the Toronto event now attracts more than 3,000 pumpkins.
For Port Hope, the event has grown considerably since it first started.
“I remember our first year doing it. We were so concerned that no one would come and we had hundreds back then and now we’re getting close to the 600 mark,” Bell said.
“For a town our size to have that much participation I think is just exceptional.”
Critical Mass Art Program Director Debbie Beattie said Bell approached the organization eight years ago about adopting the concept and hosting the event in Port Hope.
Since then, the community has embraced it.
Beattie said more than 600 pumpkins were collected last year, with more than 1,500 people coming out over two-and-a-half hours to view the displays.
“It’s amazing how the community’s grabbed a hold of this,” Beattie said.
From an arts organization’s perspective, Beattie said the event provides a unique opportunity to showcase the creativity of residents.
“It’s really special to see the creativity that the community, it’s all on display all at once for everybody to see like an outdoor art gallery experience,” she said.
“And it’s a really lovely way to end the spooky season with something that has a different feel. It’s a really warm, community event.”
While Bell helped bring the original concept to Port Hope, Beattie emphasized that it takes a number of community partners and volunteers to make the annual event possible.
The Municipality of Port Hope partners with Critical Mass to arrange for a collection bin supplied by Harnden Haulage.
At the end of the evening, local farmers are invited to collect pumpkins to use as animal feed. Any remaining pumpkins are composted through the arrangement with Harnden Haulage and the municipality.
The Port Hope Panthers also assist through a partnership with Ben Mills of Hope Community Church, helping move the hundreds of pumpkins up and down the hill.
Hope Community Church volunteers also provide free hot chocolate for those attending.
Beattie said the event is a great example of what can happen when community organizations work together.
Sunday’s weather also provided near-perfect conditions.
In previous years, visitors and volunteers have had to contend with rain, snow and cold temperatures.
“It’s exceptional this year. We’ve all been bundled up in previous years through rain and snow and it’s still warm. I’m not wearing a jacket or a hat,” Beattie said.
With hundreds of candles illuminating the pumpkins, Beattie noted that the lack of wind was particularly welcome.
She said the event does not come with a large corporate sponsorship or significant cost to attend, but relies on community partners and donations to make it happen.
The annual Pumpkin Parade is free, with donations to Critical Mass appreciated to help support its free arts experiences and programming throughout the community.
For another year, 548 pumpkins found their way to Lent’s Lane, giving Port Hope residents one more chance to enjoy Halloween before the jack-o’-lanterns were put to their final use.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
