Anticipation of Halloween continues to grow for youngsters at the Magic Tree House School in Sparks as students displayed the Parade of Pumpkins in their classrooms last week.

The event began when pre-kindergarten students hauled in festively decorated pumpkins to be judged by the teachers. Awards were given to all pumpkins based on design or theme, such as “Most Gourd-eous Witch,” and students spent the first couple of days admiring one another’s pumpkins.

“This project is done completely at home. It is a good chance for some family fun and for the family to sit down and interact with each other,” teacher Linda Hollis said. “We have been doing this for 25 years and every year one pumpkin will come in and you will think ‘now I have seen it all.’ And the very next year there is one you never thought you would see.”

The Magic Tree House students, who range in age from 3 to 6, have been participating in and hosting Halloween activities throughout the month of October leading up to the children’s epic night of trick-or-treating today. The day following Halloween brings mounds of candy into the schoolhouse that seems to last far too long.

“We are very seasonal at this school and we try to plan our lessons and activities depending on the current season or holiday,” she said. “The children really respond well to the lessons when they can identify with the holiday or time of year. Halloween is definitely one of the favorites.”

Hollis said the Parade of pumpkins has been on display since last week and will continue through the end of the Halloween holiday. The Magic Tree House School will be capping off its Halloween festivities with scarecrow making, followed by a costume parade through Sparks City Hall on Wednesday.