A tradition that has been carried out for more than 20 years came back for the 2018 fall season in Fort Thomas. The Pumpkin Walk was held on October 26th at Tower Park between 6 p.m- 9 p.m. All kinds of family fun just in time for Halloween.

Due to rain, the event took place in the Fort Thomas Armory. As little kids walked by holding their parent’s hand, the armory was packed with people and Halloween blow ups.

Carved pumpkins were on display in every corner, some by the windows and others carefully placed on the ground. With a path made of Halloween lights to lead the way, every single pumpkin was lit up for all eyes to see.

A lot of younger kids carve pumpkins for the contest. However, the contest has no age limit.

Perry Hensley, junior, participated in the event, and has been putting her pumpkins in the contest for years.

Hensley stated, “I have done the pumpkin walk since I think about the 6th grade. I’ve won the contest twice. One time it was first and the other it was second.”

Entering a contest with so many people can be overwhelming. But there are eight categories to enter according to Hannah Huey, senior, who works at the armory.

Huey said, “There’s preschool uncarved, scary, cutest, traditional, character faces, themes and scenes, unusual, creative, and everything.”

The Pumpkin Walk overall is known as a family event to bring people together. The armory had plenty of picture opportunities for families, and they even played Hocus Pocus this year as well.

How many pumpkins were actually placed in the walk? Katie Spicer, Huey’s boss at the armory, provided a pumpkin count.

Spicer said, “280 pumpkins were delivered. The event has been going on for 20 plus years. It’s the best!”

For the high schoolers at Highlands, Hensley encourages people to come to future walks and to enter in the contest.

Hensley said, “I think it is still important for Highlands kids to go because it brings our community closer, and it will help our school grow.”

With the event coming to a close, the rain had started to die down. It was a perfect, chilly October night for families to go back home and enjoy comfy blankets. Overall, it was an evening that was enjoyable for everyone.