October has blown past and the season of autumn has arrived. The time has come for pumpkins, cider and the changing of leaves.

On Oct. 28, the Elon University Garden Club hosted its annual pumpkin festival, bringing many students together at the garden outside the Hillel House. With the fall spirit settling in attendees embraced the season while participating in events such as pumpkin carving, cookie decorating and playing games.

“It’s definitely a community-building kind of program,” said Garden Club member, senior Gisele Nighswander. “It’s more just to get everyone together and celebrate fall.” 

The purpose of the festival was not only to host a fun event for the community, but also to take an opportunity to teach people about sustainability, a theme important to both members of the Garden Club and the Elon community.

Community members were able to taste baked goods created with local ingredients and play a trash, recycling and compost guessing game with Elon Dining. 

"It's just a really wonderful way to get the community together and help kids learn about sustainability and just bring in autumn," said senior Jeanine Grabowski, a Garden Club member. 

In celebration of the fall harvest season, live music created a relaxed and fun mood for the entire event, while visitors were seen taking pictures in front of the make-shift “photo booth” backdrop.

“Free snacks and free pumpkin carving are always a good thing,” said sophomore Becca Foley, who attended the event. 

The festivities took place under the large, overhanging trees, creating a canopy over the event, providing a beautiful backdrop for the seasonal activities that took place.

The event really allowed everyone involved — whether they were members of the Garden Club or not — to get a feel for what the club is all about and to experience nature and the garden as a whole. 

"The thing is, I feel like this thing goes beyond the Pumpkin festival," Grabowski said. "Yeah, there's a lot more going on here, but every time I feel like we come to the garden. It always has this relaxing feel."