Bellaire Pumpkin Hunt 2026: Photos & Highlights

The City of Bellaire held its annual Pumpkin Hunt on Thursday, October 29th, and I was there to capture the action. Out of all of the events that I shoot for the City of Bellaire, this is probably the most challenging. In a matter of 10 minutes, Loftin Park goes from a few parents showing their kids what to do to a crowded park with kids waiting to grab their share of the candy and prize stuffed little orange pumpkins.

A father crouches and points directions to a toddler in a racing costume at the Loftin Park pumpkin hunt in Bellaire, TX.

Three boys dressed as yellow mustard, ketchup, and a hot dog pose at the Bellaire Pumpkin Hunt in Loftin Park, TX.

Children in Halloween costumes hold candy buckets behind a ribbon barrier at the annual pumpkin hunt in Loftin Park, Bellaire TX.

My job is to capture the excitement, show the cute costumes, and grab a few hero images that will be used on the Recreation Guide and in the promotion of the event for next year. Getting those few great shots during the 1-2 minutes of chasing pumpkins is the real challenge. I can only focus on 1 age group each year, and this year I chose the 3-4 age group.

Young children in Halloween costumes hold trick-or-treat buckets at the annual pumpkin hunt in Loftin Park, Bellaire TX.

Children scramble to collect small pumpkins on grass at Loftin Park during the annual Bellaire Pumpkin Hunt, while parents photograph the event.

Children gather orange pumpkins on grass at the annual Bellaire pumpkin hunt in Loftin Park, Bellaire TX.

The pumpkin hunt starts at 4:45pm sharp, and by 4:47pm all the pumpkins are claimed, and kids and parents start looking for the prize tickets and candy. Grand prizes and toys are given out to the prize slip holders for each age group. Every year there are disappointed late-comers who missed the frenzied 2 minutes of the Great Pumpkin Hunt.