The Hopkins Community Celebrates Its Second Fall Festival

On the evening of October 24, 2025, the Hopkins community gathered on the Thompson Quad to celebrate its Fall Festival (Fall Fest), a growing tradition in the School’s storied history. In its second year, the autumn event hit its stride with live music, food trucks, cotton candy, s’mores stations, pumpkin carving, and fun contests.

Director of Creative Programming and Arts Department Chair Bobby Smith created the event in 2024 as a post-COVID way to hold more musical performances on campus in the fall. Smith said this year’s event came together more easily, thanks to lessons learned from last time. “I thought it went a lot more smoothly in terms of planning and execution because we had help,” Smith said, giving a special shout-out to the facilities team—particularly Patrick Welch and Kyle Forsyth—for putting up all the decorations. “Everything was much better and bigger this year.”

Lawn chairs, blankets, and hay bales covered the Quad as the community kicked back to enjoy live music all evening. The musical lineup included the 7th and 8th Grade Instrumental and Vocal ensembles; Concert Choir; Concert Band; Jazz Ensemble; student band Blue Lemonade; Teacher Band; and Dance Crew. 

Alongside the live music and food, the festival's pumpkin carving station was popular. Community members gathered around tables to design their own jack-o'-lanterns, putting their artistic skills to the test. The finished pumpkins lined the rock wall of Thompson Hall, with designs ranging from classic spooky faces to intricate patterns.

For the first time ever, the festival introduced “Hop Ones,” a hot food challenge where faculty and staff answered burning Hopkins-inspired questions while sampling six hot sauces. “This is the only show where educators answer burning questions while their tongues and dignity are both tested,” said Smith as he introduced the show to the audience. Participants included Assistant Director of Admissions Carolyn Traester, Latin teacher Miguel Pizarro, Theater Technical Director David Kenton, Health teacher Lindsey Miller, and School Counselor Kevin Molinelli.

“The first few were actually quite enjoyable, even worthy of a double dip. And then [hot sauce] Da Bomb happens, and it’s just not fun anymore,” said Kenton.

“My eyes were watering, my nose was running, and I seriously started questioning my life choices—but honestly, the Hop Ones challenge was a total blast!” Lindsey Miller added.

The Hopkins Drama Association (HDA) sold out their annual Haunted House, reinstated this year in the new Academic and Performing Arts Center. The halls transformed into a living nightmare as HDA actors gave entrants a scare. All proceeds went to the Connecticut Food Bank.

A pie and cookie contest also took place, led by math teacher Bryan Vargas. The panel of judges included faculty members, students, and parents. Based on criteria such as originality, taste, and appearance, they evaluated a variety of delicious desserts handmade by community members. 

“I will start by saying that I had the best job of the evening,” commented Vargas. “It was a pleasure to taste and grade everyone’s creation. Overall, it was a wonderful experience since there was a great group of judges selected that were enthusiastic and supportive but also critical.”

The 2025 celebration has firmly established the Fall Festival as a key community tradition. Hopkins anticipates hosting this autumn event for many years to come.

“It's such a rare opportunity to bring parents and students together to be on campus at a beautiful time of year to celebrate,” Smith said. “For me, looking out and seeing people smiling, laughing, bundled up on the quad, doing all of the activities and enjoying the food trucks, I knew it was something very unique.”