All Hallows Eve Celebration
SPOOKY DRIVE-THRU!

Everyone needs a little fun! Bring the family along for a spooky drive-thru at Volunteer Park! A free, fun event for the whole community. This year's event is from 6- 8 pm on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Volunteer Park, right next to KPMS (Key Peninsula Middle School).

*Covid-19 safety measures will be used. We will be wearing our masks and gloves for your safety!

*Please note: There will be no parking available at Volunteer Park during this event, as it is drive-thru only. Please remain in your vehicles for the duration of your stay during this event.
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If you like spooky Halloween music, follow this link:You can also download the app on Google Play and Apple's App Store.
  • For your safety and the safety of our staff, please do not exit your vehicles during this event. Thank you.
  • Please check back here for updates, include weather cancellation.

How to make your carved pumpkin last longer... 

The intact skin of a pumpkin protects it until you carve it. But then various organisms (fungi, bacteria, molds, protozoans, insects - also known as "those little buggers") can invade your gourd and start to break it down. Oxygen in the air also breaks down the pumpkin through oxidation and simple dehydration (drying out) will begin the moment the pumpkin is carved.

All of this will turn your carved young happy pumpkin face into a sad old man in a few days time! To keep your pumpkin from aging, we need to do two things: sterilize the pumpkin's carved surfaces (kill fungi, mold, bacteria, bugs), and seal the surfaces to prevent drying and to keep out new "little buggers."

Here are the simple steps:
  1. Remove any dirt. Wipe the exterior surfaces of the pumpkin clean using a damp cloth.
  2. Make a bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water and put it in a spray bottle. 
  3. Spray the pumpkin inside and all the cut areas of the pumpkin with the bleach water solution. This will kill much of the surface bacteria and mold that cause rotting. 
  4. Let the solution penetrate and dry for about 20 minutes
  5. Rub all of the carved or cut surfaces with petroleum jelly. This will keep out new bacteria and molds, as well as dramatically reduce dehydration.
  6. Wipe away excess jelly with a paper towel.
  7. Keep your pumpkin out of direct sunlight and try to keep it as cool as possible (but above freezing). You should get at least a week's enjoyment out of it! 
  8. Use only battery operated tea lights/candles to light your pumpkin.