Parade-style festival travels to multiple parks to give pumpkins and treats to children
WASHOUGAL — The Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival has long been a staple of Fall in the city. This year due to the pandemic, the festival hit the road parade-style.
“With so many community events and gatherings being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we looked for a way to keep this treasured tradition alive,” Washougal Mayor Molly Coston previously said in a release. “So, we are taking the festival to our neighborhoods!’”
Coston, along with members of the Public Works Department, the Camas-Washougal Fire Department, Washougal Police and others, helped to join in and reimagine the event for children throughout the city.
Bags of candy and pumpkins were handed out, and many people showed up in their full costumes. The parade visited several parks throughout the city, and also followed COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The festival originated in a short span from 2003-2008. It was resurrected and revamped in 2014 when Gause Elementary second grade students donated and planted pumpkins starting from science class in the garden plot behind City Hall.
“The pumpkins were then cared for and harvested by City Council members and volunteers and then handed out to local children at the event to enjoy for the holiday,” Rose Jewell, assistant to the city manager previously said in a release. “The festival continued to grow with fun games, booths and more giveaway items as more area business partners and volunteers became involved.”
The Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival is presented by the city of Washougal, which has partnerships with Columbia River Realty, who donated toward purchase of the pumpkins, and Washougal Police Guild, that provided reflective bags to hold the treats.
To learn more about future community events in the city of Washougal, keep an eye out for stories and also check the city’s Facebook page.
The city of Washougal contributed to this report.
