Behind the Magic of the Pumpkin Parade 2025

For the fourth consecutive year, Garson Farm, Esher has been transformed into an autumnal wonderland, filled with thousands of pumpkins, enchanting sets, and magical moments. But what many visitors don’t see is the incredible amount of time, creativity, and teamwork that goes on behind the scenes to make our Pumpkin Parade come to life.

Planning starts in the New Year, and work begins in spring.

Mid-winter, when the farm is bleak and dark, the team are busy working away, maintaining the fields and hedgerows, preparing for another PYO season. However, as the new year starts and cold winter is still amongst us, preparing the season’s biggest event – the Pumpkin Parade – is already underway. Plotting the event space and layout begins, new pumpkin varieties are considered, along with prop ideas and many fun topical themes are bounced around.

In preparation for our 2025 parade, the farm tunnels were rebuilt to be even sturdier, pathways were rebuilt, and new covering was installed to ensure a smooth experience for visitors.

Farm Manager Rob Wickham, along with Assistant Manager Terry Fear, work tirelessly all year round. From crop planning, preparing the fields and then sowing the crops, the enormous task of growing and watering over 50,000 pumpkins until harvest takes place. Then, the real work begins; picking and moving all those pumpkins becomes a huge operation that takes teamwork, coordination, and quite a bit of heavy lifting!

We’re super proud that every set piece and prop is made and painted by hand, a true labour of love. Dedicated to our Live, Grow, Thrive eco values, we reuse wood and materials from around the farm and garden centre wherever possible, transforming them into whimsical features that bring the parade to life.

A duo-dream team effort, the Farm and Marketing departments work closely together to deliver the event. The marketing team, managed by Natalie Graham, is full of creative talent, and each member has a part to play. Melanie Myers and Kirsty Love lead the creative charge, hand-painting the many sets and numerous signs, as well as prop dressing and decorating. Meanwhile, other marketing members are working on digital designs and event ticketing, ready for the event box office to open at the start of August.

It’s all hands on deck, or shall we say, hands on tunnels, in the lead up to the event opening date, with a flurry of work to transform the event space. Hanging decorations, bunting and ribbons as well as details like fairy wings, Edward’s scissors and magic spells (!) from high up in a tractor lift, adding finishing touches to sets, dressing skeletons to help set the scene so it fits perfectly within the narrative story, and of course, transporting and laying – by hand – thousands of pumpkins!

This year featured a giant pumpkin covered in over 100,000 sequins, carefully curated by farmer Terry, who also built the front of Cinderella’s carriage and Cinderella’s interactive clock. The hand-painted boards included highlights and a nod to childhood favourites such as Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and The Little Mermaid, as well as family favourites Hocus Pocus and Edward Scissorhands. Six brand new star photo opportunities have also been designed and built. Along with fire-roasted marshmallows, a new addition to add to the scent of the autumnal air this year.

From behind the scenes to the event environment, once the Pumpkin Parade opens its gates, the work doesn’t stop. The Pumpkin Parade sales team are on hand to help serve our hundreds and thousands of guests, navigate car parking, keep track of wheelbarrows, as well lifting a lot of pumpkins! From managing the busy box office ticketing, to the numerous customer queries through our dedicated event email service. And with so many little visitors eager to explore and touch everything, there’s a constant job of upkeep- checking, repairing, and refreshing displays to make sure everything stays as magical and high-quality as Garsons is known for.

"When you ‘Step into Pumpkin Magic’ and wander through the themed tunnels, sea of pumpkins and eye-catching props, know that behind every moment is a timeline of incredible teamwork, unbelievable passion and creativity, but most importantly a huge love for pumpkins!"

Garson Farm Manager, Rob Wickham

From planting seeds in spring to polishing pumpkins in autumn, every member of the team pours their heart into creating

this seasonal celebration, to mark the farm’s end of season with a spectacular spooky grand finale!

Thank you to everyone who's visited us this year, we can't wait to welcome you back in 2026!