2008 PUMPKIN FESTIVAL in CENTRAL PARK

These are some of the images I captured during today's PUMPKIN FESTIVAL in CENTRAL PARK. The New York City Parks & Recreation and Camp Sunshine sponsored the festival. Proceeds from this annual event will be donated to CAMP SUNSHINE, a national retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. This year's Pumpkin Festival featured activities for all ages, including:

Scarecrow Design Competition - Bethesda Fountain

Spooktacular Haunted House - Bethesda Terrace Arcade

Jack O' Lantern Tower - Bandshell 

Pumpkin Patch - Cherry Hill

Live music and other entertainment - Bandshell

Entertainers included the Big Apple Circus, Laughing Pizza, Derek James, Evan Michaels, and a fire eater!

Hayrides - 72nd Street Transverse

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL in CENTRAL PARK

Yesterday, October 27th, the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of New York in association with Camp Sunshine held the First Annual Pumpkin Festival in Central Park. Rain during the early part of the day did not dampen the spirit of New Yorkers who came to the park for the festival. Featured were a pumpkin patch, farmer's market, puppets, and entertainment like the Big Apple Circus and Chris Barron. All proceeds will go towards Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Jack-o'-lantern pumpkin displays were installed at Bethesda Fountain, Dead Road, the Bandshell Area, and Literary Walk. These lanterns were lit at around 5:30 PM. My favorite display was the Glow Heart pumpkins at Literary Walk.The centerpiece of the festival was an attempt to break Boston’s world record for the most simultaneously lit jack-o’-lanterns in one setting.

One of my photos appears in the NEW YORK TIMES' CITY ROOM blog at:
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/not-a-sign-of-hypocrisy-anywhere/