Pumpkin Palooza Returns To Spook Campus Despite Rain and COVID

By Nolan Cleary, Managing Editor 

If you’re looking for juggling, unicycling, spooky fun attractions, and a safe way to trick or treat, all while being greeted by Spider-Man, Shrek and other iconic characters, Hudson Valley’s annual Pumpkin Palooza may be the just the event for you. 

The yearly tradition allows members from all over the community at Hudson Valley. In past years, Pumpkin Palooza has been held inside the gymnasium, with participants of young and old meeting some of their favorite characters in costume. 

Pumpkin Palooza has become a cherished event at the college each year. In 2020 however, that yearly tradition was threatened by recent events: because of the COVID-19 pandemic, community members were unable to gather indoors out of health concerns. 

As a result, the Student Senate, and the Student Activities office contemplated canceling the event all together. However, many Senators felt strongly about putting the yearly tradition together, and devised a new way for local residents to partake in the event. 

This year, just two days before Halloween, the event was moved outside. Kids hoping to receive candy were treated to candy, outdoor props, iconic characters, and an acrobatic show. The event allows residents to drive-through an entrance to receive a bag of candy. 

Not even rain could stop the coveted tradition. Reese Harrison is the President of the Student Senate at Hudson Valley Community College. He says putting on the event required some out-of-the-box creativity.

“We were at a Student Senate meeting, and we were discussing how we really couldn’t do it this year inside. So I thought ‘you know, let’s do it outside. Maybe we can do a drive-through.’” Harrison said. 

Harrison was a part of the drive through, dressing up as Superman. Also a vital role in the event, Student Senate Vice President Savannah Shulkin. Shulkin dressed up as Anna from Disney’s “Frozen” and assembled some of the acrobatic performers who agreed to assist in putting Pumpkin Palooza together.

Jugglers and a unicyclist entertained nearby drivers. Many of the performers were longtime friends of Shulkin’s who agreed to help out with the event. 

The unicyclist involved is a performer by the name of Caleb Kress. Kress says Shulkin was able to sell him on the idea of performing for Pumpkin Palooza. 

“[Savanah] just randomly asked me to juggle, because I used to juggle with her.” Kress told us.

However, COVID wasn’t the only issue that affected Pumpkin Palooza. Everyone involved in the event had to stand in the rain while they greeted people passing by. Kress said his past experience as a performer prepared him for the rain. 

“I like doing it in the rain. I unicycled three quarters of the way from top to bottom across Italy, sometimes in the rain.” Kress said.

This year’s Pumpkin Palooza has an increased attendance rate as well. According to Harrison and Shulkin, more than 400 people signed up for Pumpkin Palooza. Harrison said, his favorite part was the experience younger children received. 

“We’re really enjoying the happy faces, and the children waving and knowing we could make them happy, even without normal trick-or-treating.” Harrison said.