More than 800 pumpkins, lined up along eight tiers of scaffolding, lit up the rainy night sky Saturday at All Seasons Garden Centre.

The second annual Aldergrove Wall-O-Lantern fundraiser for BC Children's Hospital was a "huge success that exceeded our expectations," said Ray Van Bugnum, who co-owns All Seasons along with his brother Rick.

"We've already got the gears going for next year," Van Bugnum said. "We're taking ideas, suggestions - all that kind of stuff."

All Seasons closed down for four days as preparations were made for Saturday's event.

For a $5 donation to BC Children's Hospital, visitors carved a pumpkin that was put on display.

Prior to Saturday's lighting ceremony, visitors enjoyed live music and entertainment, a concert by Charlotte Diamond, hay rides, pie-eating contests, hotdogs, pizza, and refreshments, face painting, and lots of games and activities.

By 7: 30 p.m., when the official pumpkin lighting took place, chilly rain was pouring down, but the challenging weather conditions didn't keep visitors - or Fin, the Vancouver Canucks' mascot - away from the business on the north side of Fraser Highway, close to the Aldergrove/Abbotsford border.

"Everybody had a good time, even the people who were wet," Van Bugnum said. "Whatever hiccups did arise, those fires were put out lickity split."

Donations are still being accepted into Halloween night (Wednesday), with all proceeds going to BC Children's Hospital.

The pumpkins can be viewed tonight (Tuesday) and into the evening Wednesday at All Seasons, 27491 Fraser Hwy.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com