'Pumpkin People' wow in West Galt
A Halloween spectacle in Cambridge is getting rave reviews.
“We come every year with the grandchildren, they look forward to it every single year,” says Steve Hahn, who lives nearby.
“I think everybody in the community really appreciates what this community does.”
Two Pumpkin People displays. On the left: Cast Away. On the right, a creation titled "Titanic -- Sorry, Jack, there's no room for you." (West Galt Pumpkin People website)
West Galt Pumpkin People is an annual tradition in the neighbourhood.
This year’s theme is Hollywood movies and neighbours are going all out with at least 40 life-like pumpkin displays to see.
“Every single home on the street has a display, year after year,” explains Jessica Hewitt, the co-creator of an playful homage to Cast Away.
Vincent and Jules from Pulp Fiction. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)
Other displays take inspiration from Pulp Fiction, E.T., Titanic’s iconic raft scene, and more.
Former neighbour Scott Illsley and his family started the tradition in 2015, inspired by a classic pumpkin festival in Nova Scotia.
“[I] never thought when I first started doing this that people would be so excited about it and put so much effort into it,” Illsley says.
The family moved from Galt to Prince Edward Island a few years ago, but it doesn’t stop them from organizing every Halloween.
The Grinch glowers over a West Galt street from the top of this house. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)
“Scott and Allison began the tradition and then we just kept on doing it every year,” explains Madeline Martin, whose family created a display based on The Grinch.
You can see the displays and an interactive map to find each creation on the West Galt Pumpkin People website.
“I think we’ll keep it going as long as people are interested,” Finding Nemo display creator Mike Parkhill says.
“Hopefully the next generation in the neighbourhood does and keeps it going.”
Most displays can be seen through the first week of November. Organizers are also collecting donations for Sick Kids on Halloween night.
Nemo and friends. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Guilty: Trump becomes first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes
Donald Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Montreal tech billionaire charged with several sex offences
Tech billionaire Robert Miller has been charged with several sexual assault charges following an investigation by Montreal police.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
'I didn't think it was real': Oilers fans score free Game 4 tickets from stranger
There's always something to be happy about when the Edmonton Oilers are making good strides in the playoffs, but this is especially true for two lucky fans who were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Game 4 — for free.
Aurora borealis returning to night skies across Canada this Friday: NOAA
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Man stabbed in both legs with a machete in Times Square
A man was stabbed in both legs with a machete at New York's Times Square on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.