Pumpkin Dump 2025

For my final act of Halloween defiance this season, I was able to get my pumpkins out for the ninth year in a row for my annual Pumpkin Dump!

Starting back in 2017, I decided that I wanted to do something more than simply toss my post-Halloween pumpkins into the trash, and ended up covertly setting them up in a local metropark to much surprise and joy... and it has become an annual tradition ever since.

Every year I look for a new, creepy location to set up my jack-o-lanterns and extend the Halloween season for a bit longer. An Easter egg of sorts to anyone who happens to see them, and food for the local wildlife at the very least.

This year, I paid homage to the Dump locations from 2021, 2023, and 2024. We have a long, ever-expanding main road through town filled with commercial and industrial parkways, continually springing new buildings into any remaining available space. And while these buildings and warehouses to continue to pop up, the original, now abandoned and quickly deteriorating homes sit rotting, waiting to be leveled to make way for the next new construction project.

Lucky for me, these forgotten and ignored homes serve as the perfect location for my annual pumpkin dump. Rotten and decayed, overgrown and just a bit intimidating. I set up my pumpkin display to complete the autumn image of fright!

With help from Brother Scrapes, we loaded up all 23 pumpkins from this year's display and headed out. We calmly parked in what was once a driveway to the house and went to work in the cold, rainy, and dreary morning. We quickly got some photos and videos of the setup, then slipped away completely unnoticed.

Another perfect Pumpkin Dump to end another really great Halloween season!

Please enjoy my annual submission to the Great Pumpkin Project, the Highbury Cemetery Pumpkin Dump 2025…

  

2024 Pumpkin Dump Video

Just a quick Instagram video to share from this year's Pumpkin Dump. Another successful drop at another local, abandoned house. They really do make a great backdrop!

Enjoy!

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#pumpkindump2024

For my final act of Halloween defiance this season, I was able to get my pumpkins out for the eighth year in a row for my annual Pumpkin Dump!

Starting back in 2017, I decided that I wanted to do something more than simply tossing my post-Halloween pumpkins into the trash, and ended up covertly setting them up in a local metropark to much surprise and joy... and it has become an annual tradition ever since.

Every year I look for a new, creepy location to set up my jack-o-lanterns and extend the Halloween season for a bit longer. An Easter egg of sorts to anyone who happens to see them, and food for the local wildlife at the very least.

This year, I again paid homage to the Dump locations from 2021 and 2023. Shortly after successful pumpkin dumps, the old, abandoned houses were both completely torn down by the city, leaving only an empty dirt lot where the houses (and the pumpkins) once sat. Could I possibly make it three?

Luckily, there was still one more old, abandoned house left. Completely forgotten and overgrown, the derelict house sits close to the highly traveled road, lending itself to another perfect, highly visible dump location. And this one sits right next door to the Forest Of Screams, a local haunted attraction. The perfect Halloween offering! 

I loaded up all 21 pumpkins from this year's display and headed out. I calmly drove up what was once a driveway to the house, parked behind some overgrown bushes, and went to work. I quickly got some photos and videos of the setup, then slipped away completely unnoticed.

Another perfect Pumpkin Dump to end another really great Halloween season!

Please enjoy my annual submission to the Great Pumpkin Project, the Highbury Cemetery Pumpkin Dump 2024…

 

Great Pumpkin Project Drop No. 1: Closed For Business

Last night, I finally joined in on this year's Great Pumpkin Project fun with my first jack-o-lantern drop of the season.

I picked up a nice little pumpkin from the corner store and brought him home. I gave him an appropriately spooky face, and after a quick carve and a GPP tag attachment, he was ready to go...

After a quick discussion with Brother Scrapes on possible drop locations, I settled on one and headed out...

About a month ago, the local Melt Bar & Grilled, a fantastic little food joint that serves up the most delicious and outrageous sandwich concoctions based on a standard grilled cheese theme, closed its doors for business. While I will miss their Chicken & Waffles Grilled Cheese, I felt it appropriate to honor them with a pumpkin drop.

I was surprised that (most of) the sign and some of the other exterior lights were still on, even with no one home. But it made for a cool backdrop!

This location was in a VERY busy and well-lit retail space in a VERY high traffic area, so I had to get in and get out quickly. I casually pulled into the parking lot, secured a nice location under the sign for all to see and enjoy, snapped a few pics, and then casually headed out. Right in front of a cop. Oops. Luckily he didn't pay any attention to me and I was able to sneak away undetected.

A little tip of the pumpkin hat to you, Melt! Your grilled cheeses were delicious!!

  

#pumpkindump2023

For my final act of Halloween defiance this season, I was able to get my pumpkins out for the seventh year in a row for my annual Pumpkin Dump!

Starting back in 2017, I decided that I wanted to do something more than simply tossing my post-Halloween pumpkins into the trash, and ended up covertly setting them up in a local metropark to much surprise and joy... and it has become an annual tradition ever since.

Every year I look for a new, creepy location to set up my jack-o-lanterns and extend the Halloween season for a bit longer. An Easter egg of sorts to anyone who happens to see them, and food for the local wildlife at the very least.

This year, I paid homage to the Dump location from 2021. Shortly after a successful pumpkin dump, the old, abandoned house was completely torn down by the city, leaving only an empty dirt lot where the house (and the pumpkins) once sat.

Luckily, just one lot down sat yet another old, abandoned house. Completely forgotten and overgrown, the derelict house sits equally close to the highly traveled road, lending itself to another perfect, highly visible dump location. 

I loaded up all 13 pumpkins from this year's display and headed out. I calmly drove up what was once a driveway to the house, parked behind some overgrown bushes, and went to work. I quickly got some photos and videos of the setup, then slipped away completely unnoticed.

Another perfect Pumpkin Dump to end a really great Halloween season!

Please enjoy my annual submission to the Great Pumpkin Project, the Highbury Cemetery Pumpkin Dump 2023…

  

Great Pumpkin Project Drop No. 3: Schoolhouse Rock

Jack-o-lantern drop number three is now complete for this year's Great Pumpkin Project! It was a quick drop en route to the evening's main festivities.

I grabbed the freshly carved jack-o-lantern, loaded him into my car, and headed out.

I reached the parking lot, gathered up the jack and the rest of my gear, and headed in. I entered past the ticket booths and into the large Monster Midway, and calmly walked over to the photo op area. I placed the jack perfectly into the scene, and then continued on to the night's final destination: another crazy night of guest acting at the Akron Haunted Schoolhouse & Laboratory.

I wonder how many photos this jack made it into last night?

  

Great Pumpkin Project Drop No. 2: Pumpkins For Sale

Jack-o-lantern drop number two is now complete for this year's Great Pumpkin Project! I actually had this little fella carved and ready to go over the weekend, but I opted to keep him safe and dry in the garage while we went through four straight days of rain. Yuck.

The weather finally cleared up last night, so it was time to go.

The location for the second drop was another obvious idea that just kinda popped into my head. A highly visible area that would be seen by many people, and also a quirky and ironic spot that would hopefully illicit some smiles...

As it got dark, I loaded up the car and make the short drive to the drop point. Luckily, it was a slow night and there weren't many people in the parking lot, allowing my son and me to casually drop the jack-o-lantern into its spot, get some photos and video, and then slip away undetected.

In this drop, I played on the idea of going "full circle" - that is, returning a fully carved and illuminated jack-o-lantern back to its starting point, the line of pumpkins available for purchase at the local grocery store...

After dropping the jack-o-lantern in its new home, we went inside to grab a few things. As we were leaving, we noticed the security guard, fully engrossed in his phone, knowing that we were home free with another successful pumpkin drop.

Drop number three is coming shortly...

  

Great Pumpkin Project Drop No. 1: The Spirit of Halloween

Last night, I finally joined in on this year's Great Pumpkin Project fun with my first jack-o-lantern drop of the season.

I picked up a nice little pumpkin from the corner store and brought him home. My son got really excited when I asked him to draw the face, and after a quick carve and a GPP tag attachment, he was ready to go...

Now there are a TON of really great locations around, but one particular place just kinda popped into my head and stuck. It seemed like an obvious location. So we loaded the pumpkin into the car, and headed out.

Upon arrival, I was surprised at how many people were still in the parking lot and the establishment itself. We had to sit for a few minutes before we could do the deed. We grabbed the pumpkin and casually walked over to a patch of trees just off to the side of the entrance to our local Spirit Halloween...

After the successful drop, we walked into the store, browsing all of the animated props, costumes and masks. We then exited, walking past the jack and admiring our work as we drove off.

There is nothing like the feeling of a good pumpkin drop. I just hope this one sticks around long enough so that like-minded Halloween fans might catch a glimpse and share in the enjoyment.

Drop number two is coming shortly...

  

#pumpkindump2022

For the sixth year in a row, I was able to sneak out and get creative with my jack-o-lanterns after this year's Halloween celebrations. Starting back in 2017, I decided that I wanted to do something more than simply tossing them into the trash, and ended up covertly setting them up in a local metropark to much surprise and joy... and it has become an annual tradition ever since.

Every year I look for a new, creepy location to set up my jack-o-lanterns and extend the Halloween season for a bit longer. An Easter egg of sorts to anyone who happens to see them, and food for the local wildlife at the very least.

This year, I had a partner in crime who ended up suggesting a perfect location for this year's dump - my brother, Scrapes! And he even volunteered to help on the unloading, which was a welcome offer!

I got up at dawn and loaded all 19 jacks into the car. I then picked up Scrapes, and we drove over to the darkened, abandoned building. 

Sitting empty since the end of 2016, the old Dimitroff's Furniture and Design building had fallen into quick disrepair with nature taking a firm hold of the structure. We stepped carefully, setting up the pumpkin display at an angle sure to grab the most attention. And then we simply slipped away, completely undetected.

Another perfect Pumpkin Dump to end a really great Halloween season. Thanks to brother Scrapes for helping make this another successful (and mischievously fun!) pumpkin dump.

Please enjoy my annual submission to the Great Pumpkin Project, the Highbury Cemetery Pumpkin Dump 2022…

And before we quietly slipped away, I was able to shoot a quick video of our work. A long expanse of perfect pumpkin bliss. This was a great pumpkin dump, and it is going to take some searching to top this location for next year!

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