Join us for the 2nd Annual McLean County Pumpkin Smash on November 2, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Rader Family Farms, 1312 Ropp Road, Normal, IL. Illinois Extension and Rader Family Farms proudly host this event.

A pumpkin smash is a fun and eco-friendly way to recycle your jack-o-lanterns and specialty pumpkins (whether carved, decorated, or whole) to keep them out of landfills. Decomposing pumpkins in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Smashing your pumpkins instead of trashing them, helps reduce waste and its environmental impact.

Each year, tons of pumpkins end up in the trash, but we can change that! Bring your carved or intact pumpkins to the event, where you can smash them yourself with large wooden mallets under the supervision of trained safety staff, or drop them off for recycling.

This year’s event will also feature children’s activity stations and educational booths for adults, offering opportunities to learn more about composting and sustainability for all ages.

We’d like to extend a big thank you to the Town of Normal Public Works and Illinois State University Farm in Lexington for their vital roles in making this event happen.