Although Halloween approaches this week, the students who attend North Bergen’s Early Childhood pre-kindergarten classes Wednesday afternoon were bundled up and dressed like they were ready for a Christmas event rather than a pumpkin-picking party.
But the chilly temperatures didn’t dampen the smiles and the joy that the 4-year-olds had in participating in the fourth annual pumpkin picking event, held inside Bruins Stadium in North Hudson Braddock Park.
The 250 or so youngsters were each able to select a pumpkin that became their very own, right on down to having their names scripted on them. They were also able to enjoy apple cider and eat donuts, all part of the event. Music played, parents took pictures, and the kids all laughed and smiled, which was the purpose of the event.
“It is a little chilly, but nothing will stop these kids,” said Alberto Tommasino, the district supervisor for North Bergen’s Early Childhood program. “It’s really not that bad. The kids are all enjoying themselves. It’s really getting them into the spirit of Halloween. They really love it.”
Not only was it a chance for the kids to get into the Halloween frame of mind, but it also represented an opportunity for the teachers to get into the trick-or-treating that will take place next week.
“The teachers extremely get into it,” Tommasino said. “It’s really not a lot of work for them. But every little bit of work is worth it when you see the smiles on the children’s faces.”
Mary O’Neill’s class prepared for the pumpkin-picking event by making the special hats that they all wore while selecting their orange orbs of joy.
“They were all so excited,” O’Neill said. “They really loved it. It definitely gets them in the spirit of Halloween and I think it helps us as teachers as well. They’re already talking about what costumes they’re going to wear. There are a lot of holidays upcoming, and Halloween is the start and the one that the kids really look forward to.”
O’Neill said that the youngsters get a kick out of being able to select the pumpkins.
“It’s definitely a big reward for them to be able to pick them out on their own,” O’Neill said. “It makes them feel proud. The kids were all having fun, and that’s what it’s all about, them having fun.”
The event was postponed one day because of the heavy rains that fell Tuesday.
“But they understood that they were going to have their day a day later,” O’Neill said. “We made sure that we let them know that the event was definitely going to happen.”
The children were filled with glee as they ran around the makeshift pumpkin patch, choosing the one that would make them feel most like the season.
What’ll it be?
And what will the Pre-K students dress as later this week?
“I’m going to be a Ninja turtle,” said the energetic Willie Matthews.
“I want to be a Power Ranger,” said a joyous Nisit Patel. “I’m all psyched for Halloween.”
Good to know that 4-year-olds can indeed get psyched.
“I’m going to be the hook,” Darien Arevalo said.
Whatever the hook is, it must be good.
All in all, the students had a ball, picking pumpkins and drinking cider.
“It really gets them in the spirit of fall,” Tommasino said.
Even if the temperatures were a little less than fall-like.