This Halloween weekend, before the ghouls, goblins and fairy princesses set out in search for candy and other mischief, they will trade in their masks and magic wands for bathing suits. On Saturday, October 29, the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center will hold its annual “Pumpkin Patch in the Pool” event where over 150 of the buoyant orange gourds will be thrown into the drink at the Civic Center pool.
For more than 8 years, the Aquatic Center has been organizing the floating pumpkin patch as a quirky alternative to the more traditional pumpkin hunt. Swimmers jump into the pool and grab a one of the drifting pumpkins while paddling around with as many as 270 other people.
Justin Shields, the Recreation Coordinator for the Aquatic Center, is organizing the event and said it usually attracts visitors from across Bellingham and Lynden and even a few from northern Skagit County.
Justin Shields, the Recreation Coordinator for the Aquatic Center, is organizing the event and said it usually attracts visitors from across Bellingham and Lynden and even a few from northern Skagit County.
“In past years we have been filled to maximum capacity,” he said. “We’ve even had people lining up outside the door.”
Last year’s “Pumpkin Patch in the Pool” was cancelled due to a pumpkin shortage across the U.S. that made it difficult for the Aquatic Center to get donations for the event. This year, however, the Civic Center Pool has received enough donations to be able to purchase their pumpkins from Fred Meyer.
Shields said the Halloween event is one of the most popular at the aquatic center and that swim instructors begin advertising the event at least a week ahead of time.
“Once we get the pumpkin, the staff starts using them in the water aerobics classes as sort of flotation devices,” Shields said.
The event will also include holiday games such as bobbing for apples, and water balloon baseball on the pool deck. Prizes and informational stations teaching about cold-weather water safety and hypothermia will also be available.
“We have visitors stick their hands in some ice water and then try to assemble some nuts and bolts,” Shields said. “It’s amazing that people can only get one or two sets put together after just a few minutes of exposure.”
“We have visitors stick their hands in some ice water and then try to assemble some nuts and bolts,” Shields said. “It’s amazing that people can only get one or two sets put together after just a few minutes of exposure.”
All available pumpkins will be sold for $2 each (plus the price of admission) and will go on a first come, first serve basis. The staff at the aquatic center advises visitors to arrive early to make sure they snag one from the patch.
