All Things Pumpkin Magic Show Puts the Kids in Charge of the Tricks

All Things Pumpkin Magic Show Puts the Kids in Charge of the Tricks Saturday, Oct. 3, when magician Ed Pop brings an afternoon of comedy, storytelling and audience-participation magic to the Mystic & Noank Library.

This isn’t designed as a show where children are expected to sit quietly while a magician performs trick after trick from the front of the room.

Ed Pop builds his family shows around the audience, with children becoming part of the performance and, as the library puts it, becoming the stars who help “make the magic happen.”

The free program begins at 3:30 p.m. and is recommended for children ages 3 and older. No registration is required.

A Magic Show Built Around Stories

Ed Pop takes a somewhat different approach to children’s magic.

Rather than simply performing an illusion and moving to the next one, he builds stories around the tricks. Some are quick setups; others become longer stories that lead into the magic.

Comedy and audience participation are central to the performance.

That means children shouldn’t be surprised if Pop starts looking for volunteers.

Kids invited up to help with a trick receive a souvenir afterward, giving some young audience members something to take home besides trying to figure out how he did it.

The library has opened the program to a particularly broad family audience, listing babies and toddlers, children, families and teens among its age groups while specifying that the magic show itself is appropriate for ages 3 and older. Adults should plan to remain with their children and participate in the program with them.

Pumpkins, Magic and an October Afternoon

The timing turns the show into an easy early-October family outing.

The program is scheduled for the library lawn, giving the performance an outdoor setting if the weather cooperates.

And because this is New England in October, there’s already a backup plan.

If weather prevents an outdoor performance, the show will move upstairs to the library’s Ames Room. Indoor seating will then be available first come, first served until the room reaches capacity.

That makes the weather worth checking before leaving home. An outdoor show offers considerably more flexibility than an indoor performance with limited seating.

There Will Be Treats, Too

The magic isn’t the only thing waiting for families.

The Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library will serve treats during the event and are sponsoring the afternoon’s program.

The Friends organization supports library programming and other services, helping make events like this one available without charging families admission.

And there is no registration hurdle for this particular afternoon.

Families can simply come to the library for the 3:30 p.m. show, although arriving early would be particularly worthwhile if questionable weather pushes the event into the Ames Room.

It’s an uncomplicated fall afternoon: magic, pumpkins, treats, plenty of comedy and a very real possibility that one of the kids arrives expecting to watch the show and winds up becoming part of it.

More information is available at the Event Website link below.

Details

Event: All Things Pumpkin Magic Show with Magic by Ed Pop!
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
Time: 3:30–5 p.m.
Location: Mystic & Noank Library
Address: 40 Library Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Planned Location: Library Lawn
Rain Location: Ames Room, upstairs in the library
Admission: Free
Registration: Not required
Recommended Ages: 3 and older
Format: Family comedy magic show with storytelling and extensive audience participation
Children’s Participation: Children may be invited to help perform tricks; each child who comes onstage as a helper receives a souvenir
Treats: Served by the Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library
Weather: The show moves indoors to the Ames Room in inclement weather
Indoor Seating: First come, first served until capacity is reached
Adults: Accompanying adults should remain and participate with their children
Accessibility: Families needing accommodations should contact the library in advance
Phone: 860-536-7721
Program Contact: Roberta Donahue, rdonahue@mysticnoanklibrary.org

Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.