Blackwood Pumpkin Festival Novels & Stories

At one time there was a large sign on Main Road to mark the park's previous purpose—the Blackwood Experimental Orchard, but that has long gone ever since what happened four years ago. The entry to the park is only a little way further, and if you haven't slowed enough, you'll raise a large cloud of fine dust as you park. Directly in front of it, is an old stone building, the former Blackwood Experimental Orchard manager's office built in 1909, with exotic trees including an oak and a loquat still growing nearby. The Blackwood is popular in Adelaide for walking and hiking, jogging, and horse riding, and it's possible to go mountain biking around, although there are no paved paths.

Bash and Lizzy look at their parents with wide eyes. *** Hughes throws a great party for Bash. They invited their close family friends, and of course, our friends are here. The wide lawn of King’s mansion is decorated with hundreds of pumpkin-shaped lanterns. It’s is an early Halloween party. There are pumpkins scatter around the place with artificial spider webs, plastic human skeletons, masks, and of course, artificial smoke. Even food is very Halloween-y in skull shapes, bones, and fangs. The drinks are green, red, and black.

Cassie started unloading the truck with her sisters. Everyone was working hard to get ready for that night’s festivities, and she definitely couldn’t be seen slacking. Tonight marked the beginning of the Harvest Moon festival, and her pack, Sableridge, was hosting for the first time in 19 years, the last time being the year of her birth.

WINTER'S POV TWO DAYS LATER The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the surrounding forest. The anticipation among the Moonstone pack members present was palpable; their breaths came out in shallow huffs as they crouched low to the ground. It was hunting season, and today marked the Moonfest, as it was often called in the Moonstone pack. It was the Hunters Moon festival, and it was a time which happened every October after the harvest moon disappearance.

I tried making up excuses to leave but I kept being dragged into conversations. "Luna Caliana, are you attending the opening of the thanksgiving festivities? The Black Stone Pack is hosting it,"said Luna Hope. "I'm not sure yet," From what I heard The Black Stone Pack are enemies of the "Golden Stone Pack but every year of the last month, shifters celebrate their lives and how far we've come. They start the season with an Alpha thanksgiving ball that is hosted by a different pack each year. This is the one-time Alphas put aside their rivalry and wars to celebrate together. People party and eat to their heart's content.

As the Beta, it was my honor to host this grand celebration within the heart of our pack's territory. The harvest festival was a time of joy and unity for the pack, with vibrant decorations, the aroma of freshly baked goods, and an atmosphere filled with laughter and excitement. As pack members gathered, children played and elders shared stories, all united by the strength of their traditions. The festival grounds centered around a mighty oak tree, symbolizing their deep-rooted connection, and a stage stood ready for performances. It was a celebration of abundance and gratitude, where the pack came together to honor their shared heritage and create lasting memories.

Dressed in coats with mittens and scarves, they took to town with a joy that only the small-town festivities could bring. Couples held hands and walked under the streetlights. The bakery had put on a pumpkin event for the children where they carved their own pumpkins, and a prize was given to the best one. “Lola.” She was pulled away from her thoughts and shifted on the bench. Jax stood behind her, his voice was low and a hint of fear seeped into her name when he spoke. He walked around and took a seat. “Hi,” she said and smiled.

They looked excited, more excited than I’d expected, and I heard one of them mention something about a festival. “What are they talking about?” I asked, nudging Marcus with my elbow and nodding toward the warriors. “Something about a festival?” “Oh, they’re talking about the Darkmoon Festival,” Marcus replied. I furrowed my brow. I hadn’t heard of that festival before. “It’s a festival exclusive to Nightshade,” Noah explained. “It happens once a year on the first new moon after the spring solstice.” “It’s called the Darkmoon Festival because of how dark it gets that night,” Emma added.

But unknown to them, a lot was going on, and they had no idea who it was. “The capital has recently been in the midst of a scandal involving the Blackwood Pack and the Snowpack. With what Luna Katrina did and the drama, it is only right they achieved this,” another one of the elders added as Mrs Blackwood paused, bringing a finger to her lips, pondering about what the elder had said. Katrina had caused problems for the Blackwood especially after she went to the Alpha King for help. This was exactly what was needed. Mrs. Blackwood decides to throw another celebration party.

“I’ll read and you stamp? Or do you want to read and I’ll stamp?” “You read. I’ll stamp.” I listened to his chuckle. “Thought so.” We got straight to work, side by side, going through all of the papers. I grabbed one from the stack and couldn’t contain the scoff. “This can’t be serious.” I waved it as Lyle plucked it from my fingers. “Oh, no … it’s very serious. After all, we can’t have a proper festival if our pumpkins aren’t plump enough.” “Their greatest concern is whether the pumpkin will make a good moon in the festival. We really have to sign papers like this?” I clicked my tongue, letting out an annoyed sigh.