Over 40 homes and businesses took part in the Strensall Pumpkin Light Trail organised by St Mary’s Church by leaving a carved and lit up pumpkin outside their homes.
Over a three hour period, villagers could follow the two trail routes to view the pumpkins and note down a code letter at each house.
The trails led back to the church, where children could collect a goody bag, see the decorative lights and find out the code solution ‘I am the light of the world’.
Curate of Strensall the Revd Katharine McBride said, "This was a fun way to work with and bless our local community while staying Covid safe and turning the focus to hope and light in the darkness."
The event was publicised in advance on the community Facebook page, through the primary school via a video message to pupils and information to parents, and Katharine was even invited on to Radio York to say a little bit about the trail.
"We gave out over 150 goody bags, and we think that 400 people or more took part," she added.
"We’re now thinking of doing a similar event using Christmas decorations with the theme of ‘Follow the Star’."
Some comments afterwards from the Facebook page:
- 'Thank you to everyone who was involved in organising the pumpkin trail, displays and the end light show at the church. Truly made my girls feel Halloween was normal and we all had a lovely time.'
- 'My daughter said it was the best Halloween yet! Thank you so much to the volunteers at the church and all the houses which decorated their homes and the fantastic pumpkin designs.'
