CHESHIRE, Mass. (WWLP) - Whitney's Farm and Second Chance Composting are teaming up to host a unique post-Halloween event that promises fun and sustainability for the whole community. Bikes Fight Cancer donates funds raised to support cancer patients at Cooley Dickinson Hospital Planned to take place on Saturday, November 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., local residents can bring their used pumpkins to Whitney's Farm for a smashing good time while supporting composting efforts. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pumpkins--free of paint, bleach, and non-organic materials, for smashing. Once smashed, the pumpkins will be hauled away by Second Chance Composting and turned into nutrient-rich compost, helping reduce landfill waste and methane emissions. Courtesy of Second Chance Composting “This is our third year holding the event, and we’re thrilled to partner with Whitney’s Farm, which shares our vision for making this bigger, wilder, and even more fun,” said John Pitroff, owner of Second Chance Composting. “We want to keep as many pumpkins as possible out of landfills and give them new life in our soil.” The family-friendly event also features Whitney’s Farm’s Haunted Corn Maze and a giant slide for added entertainment. Donations are encouraged, with proceeds benefiting the Clarksburg School/Stamford School Ski Club. Attendees who donate will be entered to win one of two prizes: a three-month subscription to Second Chance Composting’s Residential Community Composting Program or a $50 Whitney’s Farm gift card. This marks the third year that Second Chance Composting has organized the event. Previous events were held in North Adams and Williamstown, drawing increasing community participation and raising awareness about the environmental impact of pumpkin waste. In the U.S., over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are sent to landfills each year, creating harmful methane gas and taking up valuable landfill space. For more information about the event, you can visit their website. Local News Headlines I-391 southbound ramp in Chicopee closed Tuesday afternoon Springfield police seek help locating missing 78-year-old woman with dementia Hot weather makes it feel like return of summer for the next few days House passes closeout budget bill WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.