Is Pumpkin Fest scary?

Is Pumpkin Fest scary? This is not a “haunted house” attraction. Some of the displays may be mildly spooky for young children. Trail actors may be present at some displays, but the emphasis is on fun and humor instead of scariness.

Dogs

Do you allow dogs? Yes, on leash if they are well-behaved since there are many young children and seniors on event nights. However, please bear in mind that Pumpkin Fest can be a scary place for dogs, with unfamiliar sights in a relatively dark environment, strangers in close proximity, and trail actors who may interact with attendees. Only service animals are allowed inside the mansion and museum.

The Trail

Is the trail handicap-accessible? The trail is paved and is easy for strollers and wheelchairs, but does not meet ADA standards.

How long is the trail? The trail is approximately 1/3 of a mile.

Admission Fee

Why do you charge admission? Pumpkin Fest is a fundraiser for Silvermont Park and Mansion. The event is produced by Friends of Silvermont (FOS), an all-volunteer non-profit organization formed in 1981 to preserve the mansion and park. Pumpkin Fest is FOS’s biggest source of funds, which are in turn invested into projects to maintain and improve the park. The costs for staging the event run into the thousands, as FOS has to pay for storage facilities, insurance, permits, entertainment, publicity, and supplies for building and maintaining the displays.

How is the money raised by Pumpkin Fest spent? A partial list of projects funded by Pumpkin Fest proceeds includes:

• Repairs to the exterior of the mansion
• Floor repair and refinishing of first floor of mansion
• Repainted first floor interior, back hallway, and kitchen
• Added period appropriate shutters
• Pruning and treatment of mature trees along the approach and in front of the mansion
• Removal of invasive non-native plants
• Signage repaired and replaced on Transylvania County Walk of History
• Refurbishment of benches by basketball court
• Planting native trees in honor of Earth Day
• Replacement of the water fountain by the tennis courts
• Refinishing of the lower section of the mansion’s staircase and mantel in the lobby
• Re-roofing, pressure washing, and repainting of the gazebo

Alcohol and Use of Tobacco Products

Is alcohol allowed? Silvermont is a Transylvania County park, so no alcohol is allowed on the premises.

What are the smoking/vaping policies? According to county ordinances, smoking and vaping are not allowed in the mansion or in the park.

Restrooms

Are there restrooms available in the park? There are portable toilets along the driveway behind the gazebo, and ADA-accessible restrooms in the carriage house behind the mansion.

Volunteering

How can I help? Pumpkin Fest is an all-volunteer event, with 50 or more volunteers needed on each event night, and hundreds of volunteer hours required to maintain, set up, and take down the displays. See our Volunteers page for more information on how to sign up.

Mansion tours

What will I see on the mansion tour? The second floor museum in the Silvermont mansion is open for free, docent-led tours on Pumpkin Fest event nights. The museum contains many Silversteen family belongings, giving a glimpse into the lives of Brevard’s wealthiest families in the first half of the 20th century.

Is there an additional cost to tour the mansion? No, mansion tours are included as part of the admission fee. However, we have to keep the tour groups small, so only a limited number of free, timed tickets are available. It’s a good idea to proceed directly to the front door of the mansion to get your tickets.

Is the museum appropriate for all ages? We recommend a minimum age of 5 for going on the tour. This is not a “haunted” attraction. It is a brief guided overview of Silversteen family history.

How long do the tours last? Approximately 20 minutes.

Is the second floor museum handicapped-accessible? Sadly, no. The only access is via two flights of stairs.