Description of Event
8th Annual Wood Village Pumpkin Fest
- Saturday, October 28, 2023
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Donald L. Robertson City Park
Pumpkin Fest is an art and cultural event with pumpkins as the main theme. We celebrate the various cultures of our community through songs, dances, and art. There are free arts & crafts, activities, music, and more! For the first time, we are also hosting a Trunk-or-Treat at the event for kids to dress up in their costumes and collect candy.
In partnership with Theresa’s Country Feed & Pet, this year’s Pumpkin Fest will include a Pet Costume Contest. The event is family friendly, including your furry family members, but please keep pets on-leash at all times while at the park.
How to Enter
- Visit Theresa’s Country Feed & Pet Booth at Pumpkin Fest on October 28th
- Get your photo taken with your furry friends & family
- Online voting starts October 29th on Theresa’s Country Feed & Pet (TCFP) Facebook page
- Winners will be announced on the TCFP Facebook page
A Day of Celebración
While you are at Pumpkin Fest, be sure to visit the Líderes Naturales (Natural Leaders) booth to learn about the Latinx cultural celebration -- Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
The group invites the community to not only visit and learn but to partake in the holiday by bringing names and stories or a small picture or photo of people you have lost or were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This space will let our community remember them, honor them, celebrate their lives, their stories, and learn from the contributions they made to us, their families, and their communities. This will be a great space and opportunity to heal collectively as a community.
Not only will the group be passing out candy, but their booth will also have live music and dancing, as well as crafts and activities for kids.
About Día de los Muertos
An event to remember, honor, celebrate and learn from the stories of loved ones and the impact made on our lives, our family, and our communities. A time of healing, learning and preparation for future disasters so we are more prepared and united.
The Day of the Dead is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico. Its roots go back thousands of years, long before the arrival of the Spanish. It has become a mix of Catholic tradition and Mexican mysticism, commemorating death as another element of life and to remember, honor and celebrate loved ones, our ancestors.
Typically, people place photos of their deceased loved ones on an ofrenda or altar, along with their favorite foods or drinks. In some places in the country, such as the state of Morelos, families open the doors of their houses so that those who want to see the altars can enter and offer visitors the traditional bread of the dead (pan de muerto), atole, a drink made from corn. To Mexicans, it remains an intimate family tradition, a time to remember and honor those we have lost, and allow them to return to our homes, through the retelling of the stories, which bring laughter or tears and a lot of learning to those who gather, and is a reminder of the ability of Mexican culture to laugh at anything, even death itself.
The holiday is commemorated on November 2, when it is believed that the soul of the deceased returns to the world of the living. But the celebration usually begins on October 28 and from then on, each day is dedicated to a different type of death, for example, accidental deaths or children who died. November 1 is All Saints' Day, in honor of those who led a virtuous life, especially children. On November 2, many families go to the cemeteries to bring flowers, candles, and other gifts to the graves. The Cempasuchil flower (marigold), in Atlixco, Mexico, and its bright petals are said to represent the sun and act as a guide for the souls of the dead to return home.
Please fill out the form below to register as a vendor for the 2023 Pumpkin Fest & Trunk-or-Treat Event.
You can also pick up a copy of the registration form at City Hall or by emailing Caroline Hinders if you would like a hard copy.
Vendor Registration is open until Full
Vendor Guidelines
- Vendors must provide a free item for event attendees (e.g. candy, resource, swag, etc.)
- Treats/candy must be commercially made and wrapped.
- Please decorate your booth/trunk/vehicle. No scary or violent displays.
- Please no toy weapons, guns, knives, etc. No open flames, fireworks, or flammable materials.
- Cars must be turned off for the duration of the event. No electricity will be available.
- Vendors will need to supply their own pop-up canopy (max. 10’x10′), tables, and chairs.
- Vendors may arrive at 9 AM and must be ready by 10:15 AM.
- Participants must stay with their booths/vehicles for the entire event, from 11 AM to 2 PM. Booths/Vehicles cannot be left unattended, so please plan on having two people during the event. We ask that you help us by cleaning your area/space.
- This is a non-alcohol and smoke-free event.
- Questions can be directed to Caroline Hinders at (503) 489-6868 or CarolineH@WoodVillageOR.gov
Vehicle space will be limited.
Community events help bring everyone together to celebrate not just our collective identity as residents of Wood Village, but to share cultural identities, customs, and practices with one another. In addition, these events help connect residents and guests with area services, organizations, and businesses. We recognize the low-income nature of the community, which is why we strive to have events that can be attended and enjoyed at no cost.
There are a number of ways to be involved as a sponsor at this event, including financial and in-kind donations. As an event sponsor, the City recognizes your contribution through acknowledgement on all event promotional materials, including our:
- Event banners & flyers
- Bi-monthly newsletter
- Social media & website postings
If you are interested in becoming an event sponsor or to learn about becoming a Community Partner, check out our Sponsorship Package (PDF) or contact the Community Engagement Specialist.
Supporting Documents
