(Trevor Eggleton and his daughers, Kaya and Lilia, (Trevor and his daughter Kaya pictured) have organized the Stittsville Pumpkin Parade along with community volunteers. This year is the family’s last year to organize this popular event and we say Thank You. Photos: Stittsville Central)
Once again, Stittsville brought nothing short of their best art work to the Pumpkin Parade. Called a Pumpkin Parade, it’s more of a show of Stittsville’s talent and spirit. Community members brought their Jack-o’-lanterns to Village Square Park where once filled with electric candles meander throughout the park — giving the park a beautiful and eerie feel. Residents vote for their favourites and prizes are given out for the best Jack-o’-lanterns.
The tradition began in 2013, shortly after the Eggleton family moved here from British Columbia. With the exception of COVID, the event has taken place for 12 years. The event is organized by Trevor Eggleton with help from community volunteers, and his daughters Kaya and Lilia. Trevor had heard about a similar pumpkin parade in Toronto, and decided to start it up in Stittsville.
“I felt like Stittsville was the kind of community where its residents could have an impact,” he said back in 2013. “I wanted to show that to my kids — that people who live in a community aren’t just residents in the community, they’re participants in the community.”
Trevor said upon his departure from organizing the Pumpkin Parade for the last time, “I want to thank everyone in the community for supporting the Pumpkin Parade and Eco West Enders for their important part — making sure the pigs are fed. The support I’ve received from the community has been amazing. I wanted to create an event for the community and it has become an event by the community. Half of it is looking at the pumpkins, but the other half is people coming together to talk to their neighbours”.
This year’s winners for their creative carved Jack-o’-lanterns are:
Adult First Place: Chandra von Teichman (Bear)
Adult Second Place: Karsyn Hodgdon (Minnie Mouse)
Kids First Place: Theo Torres (Snowman)
Kids Second Place: Tristan von Teichman (Banana)
And once again this year, pumpkin carvers didn’t have to worry about taking their pumpkins home, since Eco West Enders had arranged for the carved pumpkins to be delivered to a local pig farm — the animals enjoyed a belated Halloween snack.
Trevor also thanks all of the sponsors who have supported the Pumpkin Parade throughout the years:
- Your Independent Grocer
- Altitude gym
- Unlocked Ottawa
- Ritual On Main Coffeehouse
- Eco West Enders
- Lorianne De Cotiis Luedey
- Glen Gower – Councillor / Conseiller – Stittsville
- Shad Qadri
After 12 years with the Eggleton family, the Stittsville Pumpkin Parade is passing the torch to new hands. Kat Curnow and Adrian Galan along with their families, and of course volunteers, will be taking over the Pumpkin Parade carrying on this community legacy. Watch your socials for more information.