NORWICH – The Norwich Firefighters Association is hosting its annual Pumpkin Carving Night on Thursday, October 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Norwich Fire House. Children who attend will receive a free pumpkin to carve and decorate alongside the friendly, career and volunteer first responders who serve the community. Snacks and pizza will be available.

“Kids can come, carve some pumpkins, grab some snacks, and have a good time,” said Firefighter paramedic Dan Mooney, who has participated in the tradition each year since joining the squad over four years ago.

The carving night will take place inside the chief's garage, the three doors will be opened up, and tables set up for the pumpkin carving. Mooney explained that the duty crew will be there along with several off duty responders to help with the event.

No RSVP is needed to attend the pumpkin carving night, though Mooney noted that things tend to go quickly. This year, they have three pallets of pumpkins from a local farm ready to be carved.

They recommend that parents/caregivers come with their kids to help them if needed. “We encourage parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, kids, everybody to come out together and hang out and carve pumpkins,” he said.

Mooney shared that his favorite part about participating each year is, “Just seeing the joy on the kids' faces coming in and being able to do this for the community. I think it's the biggest thing I get out of it.”

While the occasion serves as a fun night for local kids, it also allows the firefighters to interact with kids in a fun and relaxed environment as part of their outreach efforts, and is a way for the department to show that they are there at the station to help when people need them. As Mooney put it, “letting everybody know that, hey, we're here, and we're good guys.”

The pumpkin carving night is sponsored by the Norwich Firefighters Association. “We come together and promote this and put it on together,” said Mooney who explained that the Norwich Fire Department operates with both paid and volunteer responders who work together.

If you can't make it to the pumpkin carving night but still want to meet local firefighters, Mooney shared that the Norwich Fire Department will also be participating in the Trunk or Treat event taking place in the Frontier Parking Lot on Oct. 31.