Today’s the first official day of fall, which means Transylvania University’s PumpkinMania is right around the corner.
The public is invited to join the campus community as more than 500 jack-o’-lanterns light the steps of the school’s historic Old Morrison administration building Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. The university has expanded trick-or-treating times this year to 6-7:30. There’ll also be music, additional food trucks and more.
The event draws thousands of visitors to campus annually for what has become a Lexington Halloween tradition.
Also this year, a community carving will coincide with the university’s Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. The Fall Festival will include games, food and drinks, kids activities and a DJ. Hosted by the Transylvania Young Alumni Council and Staff Engagement Team, the day’s events will be on the lawns of Old Morrison and Hazelrigg Hall. Parking will be available in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center lot off Fourth Street.
At the lighting and trick-or-treating Oct. 29, food trucks will start serving when the entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Vendors will include Bella’s Mini Donuts, Bluegrass Kettle Masters, Doodles, Jasmine Rice, Mr. Gyros, Munchie’s Fully Loaded, Nathan’s Taqueria, The Rooster’s Whistle coffee company, Suga Mommas and West Sixth Brewing.
The ninth annual PumpkinMania lighting will happen rain or shine — but trick-or-treating will move indoors if the weather’s bad.
PumpkinMania is made possible in part through the generous support of Tetra Tech and MetroNet.
Also, in keeping with a commitment to support local farmers, Transylvania sources its pumpkins locally from Overman’s Bluegrass Fruits and Vegetables in Lancaster, Kentucky.
The jack-o’-lanterns will be lit each night through Halloween.