03
October
2022
|
08:44 AM
America/New_York

Hershey Gardens Introduces Pumpkin Palooza

New, Expanded, Family-Friendly Event Will be Held October 22, 23, 29 and 30

Fall at Hershey Gardens couldn’t get more fabulous—and fun! Along with 1,500 vibrant mums, decorations of grasses, gourds and pumpkins, and the turning autumn leaves, the Gardens has introduced a new event for Halloween—Pumpkin Palooza.

The non-scary, kid-friendly event will be held at Hershey Gardens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2022. Pumpkin Palooza replaces Pumpkin Glow, the Gardens’ former fall event that debuted in 2009.

Pumpkin Palooza is a new, all-day experience created to better accommodate the growing attendance we’ve seen over the past several years. We really focused on bringing a bigger ‘wow’ factor this year with amazing pumpkin mosaics and pumpkin arches, as well as more family-friendly activities and entertainment. Plus, you’ve got the backdrop of a thousand colorful mums and an indoor Butterfly Atrium.

Amy Zeigler, senior director, Hershey Gardens

Kids are encouraged to come dressed in costume and will receive a bag of Hershey’s candy courtesy of The Hershey Company. Here’s what else is in store for guests at Pumpkin Palooza:

Pumpkin Tree and Gallery of Student Hand-Painted Pumpkins
In addition to approximately 100 painted pumpkins, representing a variety of themes, on display throughout the Seasonal Display Garden, Pumpkin Palooza will feature a 14-foot “pumpkin tree” and a special exhibit of pumpkins hand painted by art students from Milton Hershey School and Hershey High School.

Pumpkin Mural Mosaics
Two murals, similar to mosaics, which gardeners created using hundreds of miniature pumpkins and squashes in various colors, will also be on display. One mural is of a giant spider and is 8’ x 8’; the other mural is 4’ x 4’ and is of a rose. Rounding out the fall theme will be displays of gourds, hay bales and ornamental grasses.

Creepy Creatures Gallery
In the Creepy Creatures Gallery, visitors will discover a collection of live spiders, insects and small reptiles and amphibians, some of which guests will be able to hold. Animals on display include a tarantula, scorpion, jungle nymphs, walking sticks, skinks, various frog species and snakes, and a gecko.

Entertainment and Additional Offerings
And there’s entertainment, too!

Saturdays, October 22 and 29
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  – Palmyra Area Greenhouse Flower Truck, selling fresh-cut flowers
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Puppet show in The Children’s Garden Amphitheater

Sunday, October 23
11 a.m.  – “Wickedly Fun Cabaret” in The Children’s Garden Amphitheater
1 p.m.  – Cissy and the Man in The Children’s Garden Amphitheater

Sunday, October 30
1 p.m. – Cissy and the Man in The Children’s Garden Amphitheater

Besides entertainment, guests can enjoy some delicious treats, both savory and sweet. Food trucks include Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn, Shorty’s Funnel Cakes, Marsico’s Taste of Italy and Cheesesteak Shuttle.

A detailed Pumpkin Palooza schedule can be found at HersheyGardens.org.

Pumpkin Palooza is included in general admission, which includes entry into the indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium; members are free. General admission tickets can be purchased online at HersheyGardens.org or in person at the admissions desk upon arrival.

For more information about Hershey Gardens, please visit HersheyGardens.org.  

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The M.S. Hershey Foundation exists to preserve and enhance Milton Hershey’s legacy and community vision and to provide educational and cultural enrichment to residents of Hershey. Hershey Community Archives, Hershey Gardens, Hershey Theatre and The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue are operating divisions of the Foundation. www.mshersheyfoundation.org