Cary’s Pumpkin Flotilla starts a day early for anyone contributing a jack-o’-lantern

Image: AI-generated illustrative photograph of pumpkin preparation beside a generic lake; not Bond Lake, the event’s floating equipment or a pumpkin already accepted for the flotilla.

Watching pumpkins travel across a lake is one outing; contributing one requires a little preparation. Cary’s Pumpkin Flotilla is scheduled at Bond Park Boathouse on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. Pumpkin drop-off takes place the day before, Thursday, October 22, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The town has limited floats, assigned first come, first served. It asks for gutted, carved pumpkins with lids, approximately soccer-ball sized and around eight pounds after carving. Miniature and oversized pumpkins cannot join the flotilla. Read the full guidelines before carving; the town supplies the light and floating device and excludes artificial decorations, candles and homemade floats.

Pumpkins outside the requirements or beyond float capacity may decorate the waterfront instead. Contributions cannot be returned, so photograph a carving you want to remember before dropping it off. Following the instructions helps staff prepare a shared display rather than solve avoidable equipment problems at the water’s edge.

For spectators, choose an approved viewing area and check event and weather updates before leaving. The town also announces music, food trucks and separately paid boat rentals. You can enjoy the spectacle from shore without contributing a pumpkin; the contribution deadline and viewing evening are two different parts of the event.

Sources and visit details

• Town of Cary: 2026 Pumpkin Flotilla, drop-off, pumpkin guidelines and waterfront arrangements