Photo Credit: David Edgecomb
BOSTON — There will be plenty of carved pumpkins and “gently spooky” attractions awaiting visitors at a variety of Trustees of Reservations properties this fall, including the return of the Halloween on the Hill at Long Hill in Beverly and the Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show at Naumkeag in Stockbridge.
The pumpkin shows at Long Hill and Naumkeag run Wednesdays through Sundays Sept. 27 to Oct. 27.
Each show includes thousands of carved pumpkins, mums, light displays, and themed decorated areas all set among the grounds of the two historic properties.
Timed-entry tickets purchased in advance are required for each show. Tickets are on sale now for Trustees of Reservations members and will go on sale to the public on Sept. 11. At Long Hill, entry times are available starting at 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. A sensory-friendly hour is available from 4-5 p.m. on Fridays. Naumkeag will have an early option hour from 4 to 5 p.m., with regular admissions starting each day at 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the two signature pumpkin show events, The Trustees will offer several other Halloween-themed events in October:
Boo in the Barnyard at Weir River Farm in Hingham will be offered every Saturday in October, including a sensory-friendly hour from 3-4 p.m. Timed tickets are available hourly starting at 10 a.m. Children are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume and come enjoy the barnyard animals, take part in a festive scavenger hunt, create a seasonal craft, and enjoy a sweet treat. After the event, explore more of Weir River Farm on woodland trails throughout the property.
Boo in the Barnyard at Powisset Farm in Dover will be offered on Friday, Oct. 25. This special trick-or-treat event for children will feature engagement with the barnyard animals, treats, a scavenger hunt to find the hidden pumpkins at the farm, a special Halloween craft, pumpkin bowling and hayrides. Children are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume to this family event.
Spirits of The Old Manse in Concord will be offered Oct. 18, 19, 25, and 26. This self-guided program runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and features candlelit exploration of the 254 year-old historic home, tours of the attic by flashlight, s’mores and Halloween stories by the firepit, pumpkin bowling and shadow puppets.
Hunt for Halloween Mushrooms Guided Hike at Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough will be a foray to find Witches’ Butter, Jack o’ Lantern mushrooms, Dead Man’s Fingers, and varieties of bleeding fungi. As dusk approaches, experience how certain mushrooms are bioluminescent and glow in the dark. Trustees guide Amanda Dye will lead this program, which runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. Pre-registration is required.
The Not-So-Spooky Halloween Family Adventure at Rocky Woods in Medfield on Saturday, Oct. 26, features nature crafts, a full moon hike, s’mores around the campfire (weather permitting), a walk around Chickering Pond, and learning about what makes all those noises at night at Rocky Woods. Children are encouraged to wear costumes that are safe for hiking and wearing near a campfire. This program takes place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and pre-registration is required.
To purchase tickets for the pumpkin shows or to check out other Halloween programs offered by The Trustees, go to www.thetrustees.org/halloween.
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 130 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the one of the oldest preservation and conservation organizations, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our more than 120 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming over 2 million of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.