The Great Pumpkin Glow is a new event in 2023! The streets in downtown Maplewood will be glowing with luminaries, pumpkins, and with businesses and street poles decked out for the season.

The purpose of the event is to drive foot traffic into businesses downtown Maplewood and promote the visibilty of all businesses located in Maplewood and Richmond Heights.

The Great Pumpkin Glow is intended to be a festive family-friendly event to draw visitors to downtown Maplewood to enjoy decorations, dining, shopping and trick-or-treating! Ideally, participants will have their storefronts decked out for the fall season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.).

Participation can include giving candy to costumed children, running specials on food or drinks, offering discounts or special tastings, and/or anything else that will draw people to your location. Participants not located in downtown Maplewood will recieve a place to set-up for the event.

What activities are planned for the Great Pumpkin Glow?
Similiar to the Christmas Tree Walk, the purpose of the event is to get people walking around downtown to shop, dine, and enjoy our businesses and participants. For this reason, the Chamber will keep organized activities to a minimum. Chamber activities include:
-Facilitating a pumpkin carving contest with entries being displayed at CNB Bank park
-Lighting luminaries on the sidewalks throughout portions of Manchester, and surrounding areas
-Awards for best decorated storefront window and light post
How can my business participate?
It’s up to you! Some examples might include:
-Distributing candy or small trinket/prizes for trick or treaters.
-Hold a sidewalk sale and/or offer to-go drinks and food,
-Offer specials or discounts that evening for dining and shopping
-Have an activity geared to families (kid-friendly meals), children (a storyteller), or adults (possibilities are endless)
– Promote any special events or offerings you’ll have for the upcoming holiday season

Do I decorate my storefront and/or a light pole?
If you own a downtown Maplewood business, we recommend decorating your storefont which will be part of a contest. We are also holding a contest for the best decorated light pole. Businesses who wish to decorate a light pole should indicate their preference on the registration form. Light Pole contest assignments will be granted on a first-come, first serve basis. Businesses can be part of both the storefront and light pole decorating contests.

How do I register to participate?
To participate, businesses must complete the registration form and pay the fee. 

Why do I have to pay a fee?
Registration fees cover the cost of holding the event including decorations, promotion and marketing, prizes, rentals, and more. Registered participants will be listed on the event page and program. They will also be denoted with a special luminary outside their door.

What if I don’t have a business in downtown Maplewood?
No problem! We can designate a location for you to set-up to be part of the event.

What is the fee to participate?
The fees to participate are listed below. We offer two discounts for registration 1) Members of the Chamber recieve a discount 2) Businesses who register and pay  by October 5th receive a $10 discount.
Chamber Member Fee | $35 (Discounted to $25 if registered by October 5th)
Non-Chamber Member Fee |$55 (Discounted to $45 if registered by October 5th)