Pumpkins with a Purpose: Parktober Festival Supports VCPR Foundation Scholarship Program

Each fall, Chautauqua Park transforms into a vibrant hub of autumn festivities for our annual Parktober Festival. With pumpkins, inflatables, tractor cart rides, and more, it’s a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and a lot of fun. But beyond the pumpkin patch and bounce houses, this festival is an event with heart. The festival celebrated the beauty of fall, the spirit of community, and, most importantly, our collective commitment to making a difference.

This year’s Parktober Festival, held on October 5th, raised over $1,000 through a combination of pumpkin sales, a soup free-will donation, and event registrations from the sand volleyball tournament and fun run. These proceeds will directly benefit the VCPR Foundation scholarship program, which helps families and individuals in our community access the recreational activities they love, no matter their financial situation.

Why the Scholarship Program Matters

The Valley City Parks and Recreation Foundation scholarship program exists to ensure that everyone—regardless of financial circumstances—can participate in our community's recreational opportunities. From youth programs to Gaukler Family Wellness Center Memberships, these scholarships make it possible for more people to stay active and engaged in activities that improve both physical and mental well-being.

Thank You!

Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers and partners for this event!

• Sanford Heath for being our amazing sponsor for this event

• The VCPR Foundation board who were so willing to help make this event successful

• VCPR staff for their planning, prepping, and execution of the event

• Our volunteers from the Hi-Lites Dance Team

• Pine Country Landscaping & Nursery for sponsoring the tractor cart rides

• A&M Farms for sponsoring the soybean pit

• Ryan and Paul Metcalf for the carts and haybales

• Brockopp Brewing for bringing the fall flavors

• OUR COMMUNITY:

  • We couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from the community. Whether you bought a pumpkin, joined in the fun run, or simply came to enjoy the festival, your contribution helped make a difference. Together, we’re not just building a stronger parks program—we’re building a stronger community.

We look forward to seeing what next year's Parktober Festival brings and how it can benefit those in our community!