Halloween is almost here, which means families are preparing for costumes, candy, and the annual question of what to do with those pumpkins once the holiday is over.
You could put them in the compost bin. You could leave them on the porch until they become a science experiment nobody wants to investigate. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could take them to Lake Oswego and throw them off a fire station tower.
I’m serious. And the fire department is actually encouraging it.
On Sunday, November 1, the Lake Oswego Fire Department is hosting its Great Pumpkin Toss, a free community event where families can launch their leftover Halloween pumpkins from a training tower at the Westlake Fire Station.
Honestly, this might be the most entertaining way I’ve ever heard of saying goodbye to a jack-o’-lantern.
Wait, You Can Actually Throw a Pumpkin Off a Tower?
Yes, and there’s a whole event built around it.
The Great Pumpkin Toss takes place at the Westlake Fire Station, located at 14165 Bunick Drive in Lake Oswego. From 2 to 5 p.m., participants can bring their pumpkins, climb the station’s training tower, and aim for a target below.
The pumpkins can be carved or uncarved, so you don’t need to worry about whether yours survived Halloween looking particularly impressive.
In fact, I suspect the more battered pumpkins might be especially satisfying to launch.
The event is hosted by the Lake Oswego Fire Department, with participation from Lake Oswego Police and the Lake Oswego Public Library. It’s a community celebration that turns the end of Halloween into one last opportunity for family fun.
And considering how much effort some families put into carving pumpkins, there’s something strangely satisfying about giving those creations a spectacular final moment.
It’s Free, and There’s a Good Cause Behind It
Admission to the Great Pumpkin Toss is completely free.
Instead of charging families to participate, the organizers are encouraging donations of nonperishable food for Hunger Fighters Oregon, a Lake Oswego food pantry that provides food and essential household items to people who need them.
The city is particularly interested in Thanksgiving and holiday foods, including mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, broth, and baking mixes. Donations should be nonexpired and nonperishable.
I love that the event combines something completely ridiculous with an opportunity to help the community. Kids get to throw pumpkins off a tower, and families can contribute to a local organization supporting their neighbors.
That’s a pretty good trade.
Before heading out, consider letting your children help choose a few food items to donate. It’s an easy way to connect a fun outing with a conversation about helping other families, especially as Thanksgiving approaches.
There’s a Library Connection, Too
The Lake Oswego Public Library is joining the festivities with Rover, its traveling bookmobile.
Rover will be at the Great Pumpkin Toss from 2 to 5 p.m., giving families an opportunity to browse library materials, check out items, and learn about library services.
Children can even sign up for a library card.
I realize that books and flying pumpkins might seem like an unusual combination. But I actually think it’s a wonderful way to introduce kids to community resources they might not otherwise encounter.
One minute, you’re watching a pumpkin fall from a tower. The next, you’re helping your child discover a new book.
That’s a surprisingly productive Sunday afternoon.
What Should Families Bring?
The most important item is obviously a pumpkin.
The city welcomes carved and uncarved pumpkins, so feel free to bring whatever is left of your Halloween decorations. If you haven’t carved yours yet, that’s fine, too.
I’d recommend removing candles, lights, and other decorations before bringing your pumpkin. While the event information doesn’t list every preparation requirement, keeping those items out of the way seems sensible.
You should also bring a few nonperishable food items if you’re able to contribute to the food drive.
Since this is an outdoor event in early November, dress for Oregon weather. Comfortable shoes and rain jackets are a good idea, particularly if the forecast looks questionable.
Families should also expect to follow the instructions of fire department staff around the training tower. The organizers will be managing the activity, and parents should check with them about participation requirements for younger children.
One Last Halloween Adventure
There’s something about this event that feels particularly Oregon.
We spend weeks visiting pumpkin patches, carefully selecting pumpkins, carving elaborate faces, and putting them on display. Then, once Halloween ends, we need to figure out what to do with them.
Apparently, Lake Oswego looked at that problem and decided the answer was gravity.
And I have to admit, I love it.
The Great Pumpkin Toss gives families one more reason to get outside, enjoy a community event, and make a memory that will probably outlast whatever costume their child wore the night before.
Plus, it’s free. That never hurts.
So before you toss your jack-o’-lantern into the compost bin, consider giving it one final adventure.
Just don’t start practicing by throwing pumpkins off your own roof. I’m fairly certain your neighbors would prefer you leave this particular activity to the fire department.
Great Pumpkin Toss Event Details
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Location: Westlake Fire Station, 14165 Bunick Drive, Lake Oswego
Admission: Free
What to bring: Your leftover Halloween pumpkins and optional nonperishable food donations for Hunger Fighters Oregon.
For the complete event information, visit the City of Lake Oswego’s official Great Pumpkin Toss page. You can also learn about Rover’s participation through the Lake Oswego Public Library.
Tiffany Wilson is a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom from Tigard, Oregon, raising three kids—Sophie, Noah, and Riley. She’s a warm, hands-on parent who mixes daily routines with creative fun, whether it’s a backyard scavenger hunt or building a blanket fort in the living room.