HUGE
That’s the verdict on the 200+ stars of this year’s BUNGAY’S 2008 PUMPKIN NIGHT. And by huge, the organisers mean even bigger pumpkins than some of the previous ones, which topped 10 stone and often required 2 men to lift them.

For the 5th successive year, on October 31st, the residents of fairy-tale Bridge Street in Bungay are throwing a big Halloween street party – and everyone is invited.

‘PUMPKIN NIGHT – FROM SEED TO CELEBRATION’ is designed for the old and the young; for families and children; for groups and individual visitors. It’s for everyone who likes to make merry at one of the most important yearly festivals, and who enjoys the Halloween spirit.

When Deirdre Shepherd and her family started Pumpkin Night in 2003 it was just a celebration for fellow Bridge Street residents. ‘But we invited anyone else who wanted to come – Pumpkin Night is intended to be an event for all the family, and most importantly, it is free. Its nice for parents to have somewhere safe – and inexpensive – to bring their children on this unique night. And a good few came to the party with us.’

How things change. In 2007 nearly 3000 people came, most of whom were in costume – from a baby witch in arms to a 10 foot stilt walker. And 2008 Pumpkin Night will be bigger and better than ever.

From 6PM until 9PM Bridge Street will again be closed to traffic and full of magnificently carved pumpkins; trick and treaters; street entertainment, games and competitions (plus a bit of education about what it, and other festivals during the year, are all about) and, most importantly, noise, colour and fun.

But Pumpkin Night will no longer JUST be situated in Bridge Street – 2008 sees it spreading to the Buttercross and Cross Street – will also be closed – and full of stalls and entertainment. Halloween themed shops and restaurants throughout the town (including the Fisher Theatre) will be open late.

Restaurants, like the Earsham Street Café will be offering Halloween High Teas for children, and The Buttercross Tearooms and Castles Inn will be serving appropriate food for the occasion. And there will be a hog roast and food stalls around the Buttercross.

FREE Face Painting
The Toy & Gift Emporium in Earsham Street will be offering free face painting in their shop.

Bungay retailers will have already taken part in a best carved Pumpkin competition, which will be on display in the town shop windows. And prior to the event, there will be also children’s pumpkin carving competitions, and these too will be on show.

While the centre piece of the evening will, as always, be the dazzling rows of giant lighted pumpkins all the way down narrow Bridge Street, exquisitely carved by volunteers, Bungay as a whole will be involved. And it doesn’t end there. On the following night the Fisher Theatre will be holding its own Halloween celebration – THE DEAD HEROES BALL. ‘It will be a wonderful chance to dress up again and to enjoy another night of fun’ Deirdre said. ‘If Halloween Night is for the children, Dead Heroes Ball will be for the adults!! ‘Pumpkin Night is a celebration of the turning of the year towards winter. And it’s not just for the community of Bungay and the surrounding villages. If you want to have fun; learn a bit more about Halloween, and have a spookily merry evening, no matter where you come from, Pumpkin Night and the Dead Heroes Ball welcome YOU.’