Giant Pumpkins Invade Deerfield Saturday

A thorough community effort to raise money for charity and provide family autumn and Halloween enjoyment begins with an invasion of giant pumpkins at 9:45 a.m. Saturday in downtown Deerfield.

Fabricated by the makers of Chicago’s Cows on Parade a few years ago, the five-foot pumpkins will make their entrance in a parade throughout the Village. Starting and finishing in downtown Deerfield, the parade will go as far west as Wilmot Road, north to Warwick Road, east to Kenton Road and south to Gordon Terrace. Further details and a map are on the Village’s website.

These are not ordinary pumpkins, according to information provided by the Village. The 16 pumpkins will be painted by Deerfield High School students as part of homecoming week and other community partners and have a slot for a specific charity.

The charity component of the month-long event will have a greater impact than the money collected. The Deerfield Art Commission will pick a winner and the ownership of Deerfield Square will contribute $5,000 to the charity of the designer’s choice.

After the parade, opening ceremonies will begin at noon. There will be live music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. including American English from 1 to 3 as well as horse-drawn hayrides, face painting, balloon animals and a movie—“Beetlejuice”—at 7 p.m.

More events are scheduled the following three Saturdays in October. The project is a joint effort of the Village, the Deerfield Bannockburn Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce, Deerfield Square, Deerfield Shoppers Court and Deerfield Village Centre.

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