Community pumpkin events held in Illinois and Evanston

The Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve in Carbondale, Illinois, has launched its annual Pumpkin Glow. The event features over a thousand custom-carved pumpkins illuminated by flameless LED candles along a hiking trail. Running through Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., the tradition involves local volunteers who create designs ranging from pop culture references to classic faces. The event includes activities such as hayrides, baked goods, and live music.

In Evanston, the city is preparing for its 11th annual ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin Compost’ collection event. Scheduled for November 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the old Morton Civic Center parking lot, the drive-up, drop-off program allows residents to recycle Halloween pumpkins to prevent them from entering landfills. The city accepts plain or acrylic-painted pumpkins, though those contaminated with wax or stickers are excluded.