Smashin' Pumpkins

Saturday, November 8

  • 1:00 – 3:00 pm
  • Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Road

Smash it, don’t trash it! Presented by REA, Zionsville Parks and Recreation invites you to the return of Smashin’ Pumpkins: A Pumpkin Smash & Composting Bash!

This year’s event is bigger than ever with more food trucks, more games, and more smashing fun. Bring your own pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns to smash and compost! Just be sure to follow our composting tips (A limited number of extra pumpkins will be available courtesy of Dull’s Tree Farm, first-come–first-served.)

Highlights include:

  •  Smashin’ Station – Operated by Zionsville United Methodist Church
  •  The Epic Pumpkin Drop – Courtesy of Zionsville Fire Department’s ladder truck
  •  Composting Education & Demos – With Boone County Solid Waste
  • Girl Scouts Onsite – Hosting kid-friendly activities
  • More Food Trucks + More Games – Something for the whole family

Eco-Friendly Pumpkin Tips

Want to decorate sustainably before smashing? Try these:

  • Use battery-operated candles instead of real flames.
  • Create designs with a drill or etching tools—no paint required.
  • Decorate with leaves, flowers, or biodegradable glue.
  • Wrap your pumpkin like a mummy with bandages or add a hat for character.
  • Carve it into a planter for fall flowers or succulents.

Composting Rules 

  • Moldy pumpkins are welcome—they compost great!
  • No craft paint, glitter, glue, stickers, ribbons, etc.
  •  If your pumpkin has craft paint or wax, scrape or cut away the pumpkin’s skin before smashing.
Smashin' Pumpkins
Smashin Sponsor Board

Did You Know: 

  • Over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown each year in the U.S.—and most end up in landfills.
  •  In landfills, pumpkins release methane gas, which is 30x more harmful than CO2.
  • Smashing pumpkins speeds up the composting process, turning waste into healthy soil.
  • Don’t toss pumpkins into the woods—it disrupts local ecosystems and can harm wildlife. Please DO NOT dump any materials in our Zionsville parks (yard waste, grass clippings, Christmas trees, pumpkins) and help us keep our local ecosystems healthy and prevent unnecessary staff time cleaning up.