Thursday, October 1, 2026
79 ° Clear
79 ° Clear
Lower Southampton Township’s Playwicki Farm transformed into a festive fall wonderland on Saturday, October 18 as families gathered for Halloween on the Farm, an evening of trunk-or-treating, crafts, costume contests, and a movie under the stars. This annual event, hosted by Lower Southampton Parks and Recreation, offered children and families a safe and fun way to celebrate Halloween together.
“We had a trunk or treat event, a costume contest, and a movie at dusk, “Hotel Transylvania”, which we chose because it’s a kid-friendly film,” said Parks and Recreation Director Walt Mulholland
The event began at 4:30 p.m., welcoming children of all ages to explore rows of car trunks filled with treats and smiles.
Participants in the trunk or treat attraction included local departments and community groups such as the Lower Southampton Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works, Police Department, Finance Department, as well as the Feasterville Rotary Club, the Playwicki Farm Foundation, and several township businesses. Each car offered something a little different, from candy and chocolate to taffy and other small surprises.
The costume contest was another crowd favorite, offering small prizes for the cutest costume, best overall costume, and best family or group costume. Members of the township’s Recreation Board served as judges. “It was fun for all ages,” said Mulholland. “Last year we even had newborns dressed up, but the main age range is about 3 to 10. That’s our target group.”
A DJ kept the energy high with festive tunes, while children enjoyed crafts and pumpkin decorating before settling in for the movie. Families mingled with neighbors, took photos, and celebrated the season together under the evening sky.
As dusk approached, families spread out on the hill at Playwicki Farm with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the outdoor movie experience. “There’s a nice hill at Playwicki where the screen was blown up,” Mulholland explained. “The movie helped end the night in a nice, relaxing way. People could bring snacks if they wanted.”
This year marked the second annual Halloween at the Farm at Playwicki Farm, following a modest but successful debut in 2024. “Last year we had about 12 or 13 cars and around 100 kids,” Mulholland shared. “This year, we were pleased to welcome close to 200 kids and between 20 to 25 cars.”
Mulholland emphasized that the event wasn’t just about candy; it was about community. “We were trying to get the community together to enhance that community spirit,” he said. “It was a nice event for the kids; they could use their costumes more than once, which is nice for the parents who buy them. They could come out, have fun, and enjoy a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.”
Mulholland hopes this year’s turnout will be a sign of what’s to come. “We’re hoping to grow it each year,” he said. “The goal is to make it an annual tradition that families look forward to every fall.”
But the fun at Playwicki Farm didn’t end with Halloween. Mulholland and his team are already gearing up for one of the township’s most popular events, Holiday at the Farm, scheduled for December 13.
“That’s our Christmas event,” he explained. “It’s a free event with pictures with Santa, a tree lighting, children’s activities, and vendors. Santa will be there, and we’ll have food trucks, hot chocolate, and the Neshaminy High School band singing Christmas carols.”
The holiday celebration, which typically draws close to a thousand visitors, will run from noon to 4 pm and will feature moon bounces, face painting, a DJ, and festive fun for all ages. “It’s a really nice time,” Mulholland said. “Everyone gets a free picture with Santa, and it’s our big end-of-the-year event.”
Events like these, he added, are at the heart of what makes Lower Southampton special. “What I like best about these events is having all these families out there together and watching all the kids having fun,” Mulholland reflected. “We try to expand these events every year, making them bigger and better.”
