The Great Pumpkin Float

The 2nd Annual Pumpkin Float on the pond is happening Friday October 28! For this one special night, the City Park pond will come aglow with floating pumpkins.

The smell of fire pits and roasting marshmallows will fill the air while your favorite halloween tunes help to bring the spooky vibe.

Ely Parks & Recreation will be selling $1 s'more kits, warm hot chocolate, delicious hot dogs (while supplies last) and other beverages at the concession stand during the event. Families are welcome to bring their own snacks and blankets or chairs to sit on.

Want to watch your own pumpkin float on the water? You can! Staff will provide the rafts (12in. X 12in. foam for your pumpkin) as well as the light - all you need to bring is the carved pumpkin.

Your pumpkin must be 5lbs or less to float. You may carve your pumpkin with a face, polka dots, your initials, or any other design - just make sure it's family friendly. To see your sign in all angles, carve two sides!

To reserve a raft, you must sign up via CivicRec: https://secure.rec1.com/IA/ely-ia/catalog

There are limited rafts so they must be reserved in advance. 60 total. The fee is $2.5 per raft, families can reserve as many as they would like. One pumpkin per raft.

There will be no refunds offered on raft reservations. This event will only be cancelled in the event of severe storms. If we cancel due to severe weather, please know that your $2.5 raft rental will be treated as a donation to the Parks Department. Pumpkins will not be guaranteed to be returned to families after the event - if it makes it across the water, you are welcome to take it at the end. Please leave rafts for future use.