Boston, October 15, 2025
News Summary
The Boston Public Market will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the annual Harvest Party on October 16, featuring a giant pumpkin centerpiece, local food vendors, and fundraising efforts to support small businesses. Attendees can enjoy live music, a silent auction, and a dinner party while contributing to the Market’s initiatives, which focus on promoting local food systems and aiding local entrepreneurs. This year’s celebration honors a decade of community engagement and resilience in the Boston food scene.
Boston
The Boston Public Market will mark its 10th anniversary with its annual Harvest Party on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2023, featuring a giant pumpkin centerpiece and fundraising activities to support the market’s mission. A 638-pound pumpkin was forklifted into the Boston Public Market on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The giant pumpkin is a main attraction for the annual Harvest Party. This year’s events are particularly special as the Boston Public Market is celebrating its 10th birthday.
Key details and purpose
The Harvest Party will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2023. The event will feature over 20 local food vendors, live music, a silent auction, and a dinner party. The event includes a dinner buffet experience and a festive bash with tastings, live entertainment, and anniversary-themed activities. The Harvest Party serves as a fundraising event to support the non-profit’s mission, including initiatives to subsidize rent for local entrepreneurs.
Fundraising and mission
Proceeds from the Harvest Party will fund the “Market on a Mission” initiatives, which support local food businesses and educational programs. Tickets for the event start at $50 and are available on the market’s website. The funds raised at the Harvest Party are intended to support the Boston Public Market’s stated goal to promote a resilient and equitable food system while nurturing local entrepreneurs.
Tradition and notable features
The Boston Public Market has a tradition of featuring a giant pumpkin centerpiece at the Harvest Party. Al from Red Apple Farm has historically donated large pumpkins and gourds for the event. In addition to the 638-pound pumpkin, a nearly 1,600-pound squash, the largest recorded in Massachusetts, has also been brought to the party. The giant pumpkin and other oversized produce often serve as visual highlights that accompany tastings and vendor offerings.
People and organizational context
Chelsea Doliner, the chief marketing and engagement officer, highlighted the importance of the Harvest Party in supporting local small businesses. Cheryl Cronin, CEO of the Boston Public Market, expressed the significance of reaching 10 years as a reminder of the Market’s growth. Initial sponsors for the Harvest Party include Citizens, Boston.com, The Boston Globe, and the Cummings Foundation.
Attendance and experience
Attendees can expect a combination of tasting stations, vendor booths from more than 20 local food businesses, live music, a silent auction, and an evening dinner buffet. The Harvest Party is positioned as both a celebration of the market’s decade of operation and a practical fundraising effort to keep vendor costs manageable and support educational programming tied to local food systems.
What the market says it supports
The Boston Public Market aims to promote a resilient and equitable food system while nurturing local entrepreneurs. The Market’s fundraising events, including the Harvest Party, are designed to sustain programming that helps reduce barriers for small food businesses and to subsidize rent for local entrepreneurs when needed.
FAQ
When will the Harvest Party take place?
The Harvest Party will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2023.
What notable produce was brought into the market ahead of the party?
A 638-pound pumpkin was forklifted into the Boston Public Market on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Is a large pumpkin a regular part of the event?
The Boston Public Market has a tradition of featuring a giant pumpkin centerpiece at the Harvest Party.
Who has historically donated large pumpkins for the event?
Al from Red Apple Farm has historically donated large pumpkins and gourds for the event.
Has the event featured any larger squash in the past?
In addition to the 638-pound pumpkin, a nearly 1,600-pound squash, the largest recorded in Massachusetts, has also been brought to the party.
What will the event feature?
The event will feature over 20 local food vendors, live music, a silent auction, and a dinner party.
How much do tickets cost and where can they be purchased?
Tickets for the event start at $50 and are available on the market’s website.
What is the fundraising intended to support?
Proceeds from the Harvest Party will fund the “Market on a Mission” initiatives, which support local food businesses and educational programs.
Why is this year’s Harvest Party notable?
This year’s events are particularly special as the Boston Public Market is celebrating its 10th birthday.
Who highlighted the importance of the Harvest Party for small businesses?
Chelsea Doliner, the chief marketing and engagement officer, highlighted the importance of the Harvest Party in supporting local small businesses.
Event at-a-glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Harvest Party | Thursday, Oct. 16, 2023 |
| Pumpkin delivered | 638-pound pumpkin forklifted into the market on Tuesday, Oct. 14 |
| Notable past squash | Nearly 1,600-pound squash, the largest recorded in Massachusetts |
| Vendors and entertainment | Over 20 local food vendors, live music, silent auction, dinner party |
| Ticket price | Tickets start at $50 |
| Fundraising focus | Proceeds fund the “Market on a Mission” initiatives |
| Sponsors (initial) | Citizens; Boston.com; The Boston Globe; The Cummings Foundation |
| Market goal | Promote a resilient and equitable food system while nurturing local entrepreneurs |
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