There is nothing that brings joy to a child quite like a patch of grass choc-full with plump, winter squashes. At least that was the general consesus on Sunday afternoon, when excitable kiddos in their dozens descended upon the West Vancouver Community Centre’s annual Pumpkinfest for some raucous fall celebration.
Those who weren’t in the pumpkin patch, barreling their friends over with vegetables or posing for cheesy family photos, were riding ponys, stuffing their faces with freshly popped popcorn, or waiting in snaking queues to be defaced with frightful face paint and spooky tattoos.
Live music kept the crowds entertained throughout much of the afternoon. Performances delivered by bands from a number of local schools, including the Sentinel Secondary Jazz A Band led by Music Director Zoltan Virag (pictured), and the West Vancouver Youth Band with principal conductor and director Douglas Macaulay (also pictured).
“The bands are just phenomenal” said West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager, who was in attendance at Enhance West Van’s signature fundraising event on Sunday.
Sager, who had given a speech at the event in the early afternoon, said this year’s celebrations have have proved to be the biggest yet, with a turnout that trumps even the most impressive of previous years.
“This has been going for a while and it is just a staple in our civic events,” he said.
“There’s a great spirit of community here.”
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
