NICHES to host fifth annual Jack-O'-Lantern Hike

Have a gourd-geously spooky pumpkin sitting around that deserves to be seen before Halloween? NICHES Land Trust, a local environmental protection nonprofit, is hosting its fifth annual Jack-O’-Lantern Hike and is currently looking for carved donations to illuminate the trail.

The drop-off date for donations is Oct. 24 at noon. Those who choose to donate are asked to carve their jack skellingtons as close to the drop-off date as possible. Everyone is invited to donate to the jack-o’-lantern-lit path and can drop off their pumpkins on the Clegg Memorial Garden Porch.

The hike through the woods will be open Oct. 25-27 from 7-10 p.m. The trail is a self-guided, three-fourths mile-long loop that goes through rugged terrain, so visitors are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and have a handheld flashlight to avoid any Halloween scares.

Registration is required for this skele-fun event. Hikers can register by emailing sam@nicheslandtrust.org with their group info.

At the end of the hike, visitors will have a chance to vote on the most fa-boo-lous pumpkin. The winning carver will receive a gift membership to NICHES, a copy of Dan Child’s “Into the Woods” and some company swag.