Mayor’s Fall Pumpkin Float taking place October 19

Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced that the annual Fall Pumpkin Float will be held at the Boston Common Frog Pond on Friday, October 19, from 5 - 8 p.m. Hundreds of illuminated jack-o’-lanterns will be floated on the water accompanied by spooky family activities.

Attendees are asked to bring 8-inch or smaller carved pumpkins that will be lit and then floated on the Frog Pond for a dramatic early evening display. Adults and children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and participate in a wide range of fun activities. Children are invited to decorate luminary bags which will be displayed and illuminated along the edge of the Frog Pond. Test your courage in our haunted funhouse maze, prepare to be spooked by the Buried Alive haunted attraction, jump on the Pumpkin Bounce, and try your skills at the LED bean bag toss.

The Fall Pumpkin Float is presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Skating Club of Boston. Key sponsors are the Highland Street Foundation, HP Hood LLC, Polar Beverages, and the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. Media sponsor is Magic 106.7. Additional support is provided by Boston Cares.

This free family-friendly event will also include crafts with PJ Library in Greater Boston, glow-in-the-dark games, children’s crafts, games, and giveaways by Magic 106.7, Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” opening in theaters nationwide November 2, Disney Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” available on Digital October 23 and Blu-ray November 6, and scarily delicious snacks and refreshments provided by Power Crunch Bars and HP Hood LLC.

A monster mash of science activities will include the Massachusetts Horticulture Society, giant bubbles with the “Bubble Guy” Jim Dichter, and Halloween giveaways. All pumpkins will be donated to The Trustees of Reservations after the event for composting and not returned to attendees.

For more information, please visit the Boston Parks and Recreation homepage, call 617-635-4505, or visit our Facebook page.