The second day on the Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow was canceled due to the weather, organizers told us.
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Organizers sent the following notice to this news organization:
"Due to the rainy forecast this evening, The Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow is canceled for Wednesday, October 31st.
We had record breaking attendance yesterday (October 30th), with over 10,000 guests coming to view over 1,000 jack-o-lanterns.
Thank you to all that came out to see the pumpkins. A big thank you to all of the volunteers that logged many hours getting ready for this big event. Another huge thank you to our sponsors and the City of Dayton for their support."
PHOTOS FROM FIRST NIGHT OF GLOW
In case you didn’t make it out to the first night of the two-day event, we were there to take photos. So you can still appreciate all of the hard work put in by volunteers throughout the community in carving beautiful pumpkins.
>> PHOTOS: See photos from the first night of the 2018 Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow
EARLIER REPORT (Oct 17, 2018)
3 reasons to be a part of beloved Dayton Halloween tradition — the Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow
One of Dayton's most cherished Halloween traditions, The Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow, is back!
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This means that Dayton will soon be basking in the glow of hundreds (if not more) of beautifully carved pumpkins near the Dayton Art Institute and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Oct. 30-31.
🎃 1. Be part of a longstanding community tradition
The Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow is a tradition that started 24 years ago.
Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow founder Judy Chaffin started carving pumpkins and displaying them on the hill in 1994. What started as 50 pumpkins grew into a phenomenon that brings visitors from as far away as Canada.
The pumpkins for the community event had been carved and gutted by Chaffin’s neighbors, friends and family members.
The glow took a one-year break in 2016 as Chaffin tackled an health issue.
The Grafton Hill Historic District reignited it last year under the leadership of John Edinger of the Grafton Hill Historic District.
“It is special to see that many pumpkins in one place, and all of the pumpkins are unique,” Edinger said.
More than 770 jack-o-lanterns were carved for last year’s glow.
This year, that goal is even higher.
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🎃 2. Help break a jack-o-lantern record
This year, for the first time, the pumpkin carving has been opened up to the entire community and event organizers have set a goal for at least 1,000 pumpkins.
But carving pumpkins can be hard work, so more carvers are needed. Intricate pumpkin designs can take hours and hours to complete.
The community is invited to gut and carve pumpkins in a heated tent near Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 N. Belmonte Park N., from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. the Friday to Monday of Oct. 26, 27, 28 and 29.
Pre-registration is not required, but organizers are asking people to sign up at signupgenius.com so they can have a count.
Volunteer meals will be served inside the church. Organizers are seeking donations for shareable snacks and food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A signup for the potluck is available on signupgenius.com.
>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Organizers of Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow need your help carving record number of pumpkins
🎃3. Bask in the glow of the gorgeous pumpkins
The end result after all of the hard volunteer work is a beautiful sight to behold.
The free community pumpkin glow will take place 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 and Wednesday, Oct. 31 on the hill next to the Greek church.
If you’re hungry, grab food from Zombie Dogz, El Meson and Urban BBQ.
Parking will be available at the Dayton Art Institute, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and the Grafton Hill neighborhood. Stoddard Avenue will be closed.
>> PHOTOS: Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow
WANT TO GO?
What: Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow
When: Oct. 30-31 from 6-10 p.m.
Where: The hill next to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park N., Dayton
More info: Facebook
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