Great Pumpkin Rescue Returns to Oxford

Thursday, 30 October 2025 06:17

By Cody Hayward

It's the perfect way to dispose of your unwanted pumpkins after Halloween.

OXFORD COUNTY - Once Halloween is over, lots of people will be wondering what to do with their pumpkins.

There is a local group here in Oxford County that is willing to take them off your hands and put them to use.

Founder of the Great Pumpkin Rescue Bryan Smith discusses how they can be used.

"Pumpkins can be food and they can be fodder for animals and that's what we are doing. We're making sure that all that good food gets somehow converted into something that goes in our bellies."

Smith adds they will not be able to accept certain pumpkins.

"If you put a wax candle in it or if you put one of those little candle lights in it remember to rescue that out of it before you turn it over. There's all these amazing things that can be done with pumpkins as long as they are unpainted and untainted."

Pumpkins that have been carved and hollowed out (also known as jack-o-lanterns) will be accepted.

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations from now until November 6th:

- The Smiths 70 Glenn Avenue, Sweaburg, South-West Oxford, ON N4S 7V6

- Milky Way Farms, 484872 Sweaburg Rd, Woodstock, ON N4S 7V6

- Good Nature Eco Farm, 135148 13th Line, Thamesford N0M 2M0

- Tillsonburg Transfer Station, 50 Newell Rd, Tillsonburg, ON N0J 1H0

- Little Fields Farm, 867207 Township Rd 10, Bright, ON N0J 1B0

- Kiwanis’ Community Garden, 108 Wonham Street South, Ingersoll, N5C 3V2

- Woodstock Farmers’ Market, 875 Nellis St, Woodstock, ON N4S 8Z9 (Note: This location is one day only, Sat. Nov. 1st, 7 am to noon.)

- Matt McCutchen & Sam Boyse Northlane Farm 662742 Road 66, Banner Rd, Thamesford

- Woodstock Municipal Yard, 944 James St. (between Clarke Street and Springbank Avenue) within the fenced area.

- Greener Pastures Eco-Farm, 774766 Oxford Rd 14, Woodstock, ON N4S 7W3