Arboretum Hosts 2022 Pumpkin Festival

This past weekend, The Arboretum at Penn State hosted its annual Pumpkin Festival. Live music, food and a large display of jack-o’-lanterns were offered for community members to enjoy.

Take a look through our lens over the course of the two-day event.

The Arboretum was decorated with beautiful pumpkins, gourds and lights that will stay through the fall season. Around every corner, there was a touch of fall.

Placed around the main lawn, displays of jack-o’-lanterns were grouped together by age group. The groups included kids of all ages, students, and even adults. Younger kids made their pumpkins into bumble bees and Cookie Monster while some adults intricately carved theirs.

Others chose to stick to their roots and carve Penn State-inspired pumpkins.

Some other favorites were funny jack-o’-lanterns carved to look like Squidward and a doll holding a drink while laying in the pumpkin.

Some were even as detailed as a scary-looking zombie pumpkin or pirate ship.

Even some of our furry friends joined in on the fun and dressed up for the upcoming holiday.

Inside “Childhood’s Gate” there was more to explore, including birds from Centre Wildlife.

Lion Ambassadors also had a table set up for kids to “Guess the Gourd.” A touch table was placed for everyone to touch pumpkins with some bumps.

Families sat down to enjoy some food from the food trucks. Cider and hot chocolate were a festival favorite, with the stand having a constant line. Live music had folks stopping in their tracks to stand and enjoy the sounds.

The Arboretum has some of the best views on campus and the changing leaves are in full swing, which created a beautiful backdrop. As the sun set on a pumpkin-filled weekend, families stayed out to spend time with one another. The fall feelings in State College are not to be missed, and this weekend had it all.