Atlantic Cape’s Inlet CDC Holds 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch Halloween Event at Atlantic City’s Absecon Lighthouse

ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic Cape Community College’s Inlet Community Development Corporation (CDC) in collaboration with Absecon Lighthouse and Oceanside Family Center welcomed more than 430 visitors to the Lighthouse’s property on Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City’s Southeast Inlet on October 24 for the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch Event.

The grounds surrounding the 228-step, 171-foot tall lighthouse, which was built in 1854 and first lit on January 15, 1857, were converted into a Halloween haven filled with numerous fun attractions for children and their families, alike.

Mothers, fathers and grandparents accompanied their kids/grandkids, who dressed up as princesses, Super Mario, witches, pumpkins, ghosts, goblins, super heroes, scarecrows and more. A wide range of games, activities and food were offered from pumpkin painting, a homemade hay bale maze and rides on the trackless train to bouncing on inflatables and face painting. Local business Hot Bagels served their world-famous bagels and hot chocolate while DJ Dahve provided live musical entertainment.

“The Annual Pumpkin Patch event builds a sense of community by bringing people together and celebrating neighbors. It highlights the importance of community, bringing neighbors together to build connections and share in the season’s festivities,” said Michael Intrieri, project lead, Inlet CDC. “It was amazing to watch people build connections and create memories in a public setting and it's important to show our kids how important it is to be a community. Holidays like this provide a perfect time to remind us how important the people around us are.”

The Inlet CDC and Oceanside Family Center offered information on various community and economic services that are available to members of the Inlet Neighborhood.

“The Inlet CDC offers various programs for those looking to build a future in the community, through home ownership programs, small business grants, clean & safe efforts, neighborhood park and infrastructure improvements, human capital programs and other economic development initiatives,” said Intrieri.

The Inlet CDC is a 501(c)(3) that was established in mid-2023. The Inlet Revitalization Action Strategy includes many community-endorsed initiatives that have been identified as critical for improving outcomes for neighborhood residents and businesses. Public meetings, focus groups, and individual interviews were conducted with Inlet residents and business owners with the goal of developing a strategy that was truly resident driven.

View a photo gallery of the Pumpkin Patch event on Flickr here. Visit acinlet.org for more information.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.