It’s officially fall, which means Boston, like the rest of New England, is basquing in all things autumn: crips air, spiced lattest, and of course, pumpkins. So what better way to celebrate the season than with the reveal of the official pumpkin of Boston, which this year weighs in at an impressive 1,180 pounds.
On Thursday the Boston Public Market unveiled its fourth annual official pumpkin of Boston, which was dubbed a “pumpking” and is joined by a 575 pound “Pumpqueen,” courtesy of Market vendor, Red Apple Farm of Phillipston. As part of the great pumpkins’ arrival, spectators participated in a pumpkin naming contest for both the Pumpking and Pumpqueen.
This year’s Boston pumpkins were raised by farmers Lou and Sue Chadwick of Greenfield and Art Kaczenski of Erving.
The pumpkins will be front and center at the 2018 Harvest Party, a Boston Public Market fundraising event welcoming friends and supporters of the city’s local food scene. The nearly half-ton of pumpkins will be used as a backdrop for the evening’s festive photo booth, according to organizers.
Pumpkin party: What to know about Harvest Party 2018 at Boston Public Market
Harvest Party 2018 will take place on Oct. 25 and will introduce visitors to 35 New England artisans and food producers offering a diverse selection of breweries, cideries, fresh foods and live music. The Harvest Party will also feature a drawing for $500 in-Market shopping sprees, auction prizes, swag bags and 10 brand new England breweries and cidery pop-ups.
“The Harvest party gives us a chance to celebrate our community of vendors, partners, customers, neighbors, and friends while raising funds to continue our mission to support New England producers, provide fresh, healthy food to consumers of all income levels, educate the public, and build a community around food,” Cheryl Cronin, CEO of Boston Public Market, told Metro.
By attending the event you’ll be supporting the Boston Public Market Association’s mission-driven work and local food producers.
“Buying local food promotes community, protects the environment, and creates local jobs. Eating locally supports regional farmers and directly contributes to the local economy,” Cronin said. “It also decreases greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the distance food travels.”
The giant pumpkins will be on display in the southeast corner of the Market, Bon Me and Jennifer Lee’s Pumpking fans. You can also follow the pumpkin’s journey to the Market on Twitter at @BPMpumpking.
