AMESBURY — Pirates, ghosts and scarecrows will converge on Landry Stadium next weekend when the Amesbury Rotary Club hosts the Third Annual Pumpkin Walk on Oct. 25.

Families and individuals are invited to bring decorated or carved pumpkins, which the Rotary Club will light with glow sticks and display around the stadium.

A scarecrow dressing contest will kick off the festivities, and clothes will be available to dress up pre-made scarecrow frames. Pumpkin carving supplies will be available at the event as well.

"It's a good outlet for creativity," Rotary Club secretary Brad Ford said. "It's an opportunity for families to go out and see what Halloween is supposed to be about."

The Essex County Sheriff's Department will be donating 300 pumpkins for the event, which will be provided to Amesbury schools on request.

"Last year, the middle school and high school art departments got really creative," Ford said. "The school clubs get involved, too. Barbara Leary's math department carved equations into theirs."

The Rotary Club will bring the remaining pumpkins to the Woodsom Farm Festival, where families are invited to come down and participate in the festivities, including face painting and pumpkin carving.

After the Woodsom Farm Festival, the Rotary Club will collect those pumpkins, along with the ones distributed to the schools, and bring them to Landry Stadium to begin the Pumpkin Walk.

"We award winners, like most creative and best in age category," Ford said. "Last year, someone stacked three pumpkins and decorated it like a snowman."

The first year, Ford said they displayed around 300 pumpkins and 12 to 15 scarecrows.

"We anticipate more this year," Ford said. "We sent out a notice in the blue polys and are working with school departments."

Though Ford notes the event isn't necessarily a fundraiser, any proceeds from the event will go to the Rotary Club's scholarship funds.

"This is more of a community party, a time for families to be together and have some good, clean fun," Ford said, who urges anyone that hasn't been to come down for a great time. "It costs little to no money for a fun night out, where kids can spend time with parents and friends. It'll put a smile on your face."

IF YOU GO

What: Third Annual Pumpkin Walk

Where: Landry Stadium. In the event of rain, the displays will be moved to the bleachers inside the middle school gym.

When: Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

How: Admission is $1 per person and $3 per family, or free if dressed in costume.

For more information, visit www.amesburyrotary.org