Families flock to Cranberry for annual Great Pumpkin Festival
CRANBERRY TWP — Costumes, sweet treats and the glow of orange pumpkins set the tone Friday evening as families gathered for the township’s annual Great Pumpkin Festival at the municipal center.
The event, hosted by Cranberry’s Parks and Recreation Department, featured an outdoor pumpkin patch on the Armstrong Great Lawn, balloon art, a photo booth and plenty of fall-themed games and treats. Children in costumes darted between activities while parents snapped photos under strings of festive lights and backdrops.
“It’s so much fun,” said Audrey Rattay, the township’s community events and stewardship manager, who also serves as the event’s lead organizer. “We enjoy seeing all the kids dressed up and the families sometimes wear costumes too, so it’s a nice family-friendly event. It’s just a fun Friday night before Halloween to get out of the house and just have some fun together.”
Before the main event began, a special sensory hour offered a calmer environment for children who benefit from a quieter setting — something organizers have added in recent years to make the festival more inclusive.
Dozens of families roamed the first outdoor pumpkin patch, which previously had to be held inside before the Armstrong Great Lawn was completed over the summer months.
“This is an awesome event and it’s great for the kids,” said Lisa Beers, who, along with her husband, Andrew, brought their two sons, Jonathan and Quincy. “They just have so many different things to do. They have games, decorating and snacks, so it all keeps them entertained for that full hour and a half.”
The annual event continues to draw more than 200 local families and signals the start of the township’s holiday season with the promise of “no tricks, just treats.”
“This is my third year planning this event, but we’ve been packed every year,” Rattay added. “We usually have a sellout with a waitlist, so it’s been a huge hit.”
