Pumpkin parades in Toronto

Pumpkin parades in Toronto are a tradition for the night after Halloween, one that gives the city's artfully designed jack-o'-lanterns a farewell party before they meet their inevitable fate at the bottom of a curbside green bin. Yes, it's almost time for the annual pumpkin parades, which will take over parks throughout the city after sunset on Sunday, November 1.

Here's a roundup of some of the pumpkin parades happening on Sunday night.

Sorauren Avenue Park
Sorauren Park held its first pumpkin parade more than 10 years ago. Since then, this tradition has spread throughout the city. But, this Roncesvalles-area park usually hosts thousands of pumpkins and some outlandishly creative gourd art.

Trinity Bellwoods Park
The Friends of Trinity Bellwoods Park are asking participants to drop of their pumpkins outfitted with an (unlit) tea light. After the parade wraps up, there will be a pumpkin toss, meaning community members can have fun while helping to dispose of all the jack-o'-lanterns.

Mimico Square
This Etobicoke parade is celebrating its fourth birthday. And for this rendition, parade organizers want to bring out 900 pumpkins to Mimico Square, which is located inside Amos Waites Park.

St. James Park
St. James Park in the King East neighbourhood will make for a fabulously eery backdrop during this Sunday's pumpkin parade, which will run from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. As a bonus, organizers will be giving out prizes as well as free hot chocolate and apple cider.

Wychwood Park
Now in its third year, the Wychwood Park Pumpkin Parade will unfurl just south of the splash pad. Take an evening stroll through this green space and enjoy the last remnants of Halloween.

Vine Avenue Parkette
This small Junction-area playground will host a pumpkin walk starting at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Despite that early start time, it'll likely be dark out -- we turn our clock back on Sunday morning at 2:00 a.m.

Earlscourt Park
From 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, you can make your way through a glowing pumpkin patch in Earlscourt Park. The parade, organized by the Friends of Earlscourt Park, will start by the JJ Piccininni entrance.

McCormick Park
It seems like most of Toronto's pumpkin parades congregate on the city's west side. Consider a Pumpkin Parade crawl or just check out the lineup at McCormick Park in Brockton Village.

Which Pumpkin Parades did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photo by Hamish Grant

by Amy Grief via blogTO