HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN EXTRAVAGANZA – Family Day at the Village
Saturday, October 17, 11am-3pm
Kick off the Halloween “season” and celebrate autumn with a day for families of all definitions at Hancock Shaker Village. Do the Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt (and earn a treat bag!), decorate a pumpkin (and take it home with you), visit our Fortune Teller, meet the Shaker Garden Wizard, hear a Shaker “spirit” story, learn about Shaker fall foodways, and enjoy a leisurely guided fall walk on the Farm and Forest Trail.
Our Family Day is rooted in the Shakers’ own enjoyment of Halloween. Sister Olive Hayden at Hancock remembered Halloween celebrations in the 1920s: “I must be the witch . . . I would fly around through those cellar archways in the dark, and the kids were hollering. We told fortunes. Oh, that was a wonderful time; they wanted their fortunes told . . . .”
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Throughout the Village
Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt Complete our scavenger hunt and take home a treat bag!
In the Brick Dwelling
- 12 pm Shaker Spirit Stories meet in the Dining Room
- 12-3 pm Fortune Telling (on break from 1:30-2) in the Cellar
- 2:30 pm Shaker Spirit Stories meet in the Dining Room
- ongoing Shaker Foodways (with a focus on fall!) in the Kitchen
In (or near) the Discovery Barn
- Pumpkin Decorating (while supplies last)
- Games: Cow Corn Hole & Pumpkin Ring Toss
- Photo Op: Try on a Shaker Costume
Other Activities
- Animals in the Dairy Ell & Barnyard
- Blacksmithing in the Tannery
- 11:30 am Fall Hike on the Farm & Forest Trail
meet at the trailhead—blue sign—along the fence near the gardens) - 1-2:30 pm Meet the Shaker Garden Wizard near the Garden Tool Shed
available for consultation about Halloween potions and other herbal needs
