Pumpkin growers sought for Petrolia’s Fiery Faces

The organizer of the Fiery Faces Halloween community event in Petrolia put out a call for volunteer pumpkin growers.

Cheryl Veary offers to supply seeds to local residents willing to plant a pumpkin patch this spring and donate what grows to the event.

“We’re just trying to go for a record this year of carving and lighting 1,000 pumpkins” and “asking for help getting those pumpkins grown,” she said.

Late May or early June is a good time to plant pumpkins for harvest in the fall, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

“We thought this could be a fun way for people, if maybe they haven’t grown, to learn how pumpkins grow,” while helping supply pumpkins for this year’s community event planned for October at the Petrolia Discovery and the town’s YMCA, Veary said .

For free pumpkin seeds, contact Veary at 519-312-7128 or through the Fiery Faces Facebook site, www.facebook.com/FieryFaces.

Fiery Faces began about 15 years ago when Veary, who was inspired by a New York State event known as the Great Jacko’-lantern Blaze, carved a few pumpkins with friends to light and display outside her home.

The event grew and eventually moved to the fairgrounds in Wyoming with hundreds of carved pumpkins, but the display went on hiatus after that location was no longer available.

Fiery Faces’ family days, with pumpkin-related activities in support of local charities, continued to be held until it was interrupted by pandemic restrictions.

She approached Petrolia about moving the event there for the first time in 2022 and found the town was a willing host. Veary also joined the Kiwanis Club in Petrolia, which agreed to take on Fiery Faces as a community event.

About 225 pumpkins were carved and displayed at the Discovery oil heritage site last year and family activities were held at the Petrolia YMCA.

“We’re really trying to put on a big show,” Veary said.

Fiery Faces included a community carving night last year and the pumpkins were lit and displayed during the event.

Veary said she’s grateful local farms and growers have donated pumpkins in the past for the event but would like to also have community members involved in growing them.

She added there are plans to set up a pumpkin patch at the Discovery site.

“I’d really love to try and reach 1,000 this year, and not have to ask too much of local farmers who have contributed in the past.”

It’s hoped local residents who pitch in by growing pumpkins this year will also carve them for the upcoming event, Veary said.

“We’ve got a new location and everyone’s really enjoying that location with the Kiwanis now, so things are starting to move in a really good direction,” she said.

“And the Town of Petrolia has been awesome in backing us and promoting us.”