You don’t have to be Charlie Brown to experience giant pumpkins this fall.
The Boston Public Market will have a pair of massive gourds forklifted over on Oct. 16, including a 950-pound “Pumpking” that will be crowned the third annual “Official Pumpkin of Boston.” The big donation was made by the folks at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, as well as Greenfield farmers Lou and Sue Chadwich.
A 575-pound pumpkin will join the “Pumpking” at Boston Public Market thanks to fellow Phillipston farmer Tom Brouillet. The pair of towering gourds will be on display starting at noon on Monday, and will remain at the Market’s southeast corner throughout the fall.
Guests who stop by the Market for the unveiling will also get the chance to snap photos with the Hub’s official pumpkin, as well as participate in a naming contest. Past “Pumpkings” have received some pretty awesome names over the years, including “Gourdo” and “Big Papi.”
The half-ton pumpkins will take over the space ahead of the Market’s second annual Harvest Party, which kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 19. The massive display will serve as the backdrop for fundraising event’s photo booth.
In addition to the giant pumpkins, the party will feature more than 35 local vendors, live music by bands from Berklee College of Music as well as a special shopping spree. Two attendees at the event will be selected to take part in a 30-minute splurge, where they can grab up to $500 worth of lobster, wine, donuts, produce and more. And if you’re afraid of lugging all that stuff back home, don’t worry, because the Market will cover the winners’ rides home.
Proceeds from the party will go to benefit the Market’s Community Engagement Fund, which offers free and public educational experiences throughout the Boston area.
If you go:
Oct. 16, noon, Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston, bostonpublicmarket.org
