Pumpkin Smash & Bash

The upcoming Pumpkin Smash & Bash offers fun activities while turning all those pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns into compost.

The free event 10 a.m. to noon November 1 will be held at Countryside Park. It is a partnership between the City and Vierkant Disposal to collect and compost past-their-prime pumpkins.

See whose pumpkin can roll fastest down a hill. Watch pumpkins plummet off the top of the Edina Fire Department’s rescue ladder. Or just smash your pumpkin to smithereens.

“Dressing for pumpkin slime is advised,” says Organics Recycling Coordinator Twila Singh.

Participants are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes one more time to promote reuse and repurposing.

Please bring only pumpkins that are natural and have no paint, glitter, candle wax or stickers. Make sure to remove glow sticks, lights or candles before you bring the pumpkins.

Those who aren’t coming to the event can drop off their pumpkins starting at 8:30 a.m. at Countryside Park by the ice rink, or properly dispose of their naked pumpkins at home in their organics recycling carts. Corn stalks and other organic fall décor can also go into organics recycling bins, as can unwanted candy (minus the wrapper, of course). Fall leaves are yard waste and should not be placed in organics recycling carts.