Bainbridge Gardens almost didn’t have its popular 27th annual Pumpkin Walk this year.

Owner Donna Harui was concerned about the crowds and COVID-19.“Last year the crowds were enormous,” she said of the two-night event.

This year, in an effort to spread out the crowds, it was changed to a month long. Instead of at night, it’s during the day. And instead of carved jack o’ lanterns with candles the pumpkins are painted by community members and placed along the Trail of Pumpkins.

Harui said the event is as popular as ever with about 300 already lining the trail, two weeks before Halloween.

In past years there was more music, food and activities but those have been cut back to keep things safer during the pandemic.

It seems to be more family oriented, she said, adding people of all ages and skill levels have participated. Some people have walked the trail just to admire the artwork, then returned with a creation of their own.

As always staff put together three huge displays: one on Ghostbusters, another with aliens and their ship and the other of a haunted mansion.

The event is free, but donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Club, as usual. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily and Saturday, along with 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Harui likes it so much this year she said they may need to rethink the event. “It feels like our normal tradition,” she said.