Pumpkin-Carving Contest

Put your best face forward!

Carve your best jack-o’-lantern for the Pumpkin-Carving Contest at Peddler’s Village. The display is free and on view at the Visitor & Event Center every day from October 21-27. The creators of the winning entries receive prizes.


The Competition

Winners receive:
1st Place: $125
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75
4th Place: $50
5th Place: $25

Judging

Judging will take place Monday night, October 20, when the pumpkins are lit up for display. All pumpkins will be judged based on design, detail, creativity, and originality. Prizes will be awarded as stated above and judges’ decisions are final. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 22. Prizes will be available for pickup on Sunday, October 27.

Entry Drop-off

Carved pumpkins must be delivered to the Peddler’s Village Visitor & Event Center (Red Barn) on Saturday, October 19 from 11 AM – 6 PM or Sunday, October 20 from 10 AM – 6 PM. Any entries not checked in by 6 PM on October 20 will be disqualified. When a participant submits a carved pumpkin, a Peddler’s Village staff member will complete an entry tag on which the participant’s entry number will be noted. These tags will be attached to the stem of the pumpkin.

Entry Pickup

All pumpkins must be removed by the participants by 6 PM on Monday, October 28. Any entries left after Monday will
be disposed of.

Dos & Don’ts

  • Entry forms must be completed.
  • Pumpkins must be delivered to Peddler’s Village on Saturday, October 19 or Sunday, October 20. Any entries not checked in by 6 p.m. on October 20 will be disqualified.
  • Only one entry per person.
  • Pumpkins must be real. No plastic or otherwise artificial pumpkins allowed.
  • The carving of pumpkins must be completed prior to delivery.
  • No foreign objects may be used in the construction of the carved pumpkin (i.e., toothpicks, glue, yarn, paint, pins, leaves, flowers, etc.)
  • Parents are welcome to help their children; however, carved pumpkins should reflect the age and abilities of the child.
  • Each pumpkin will have to have a hole of sufficient size (minimum 4” in diameter) to allow Peddler’s Village staff to illuminate it from the inside with a battery-operated candle. Participants may not supply their own lighting devices.
  • Pumpkin entries deemed inappropriate will not be judged or displayed.
  • Peddler’s Village is not responsible for any pumpkins on display.
  • When a participant submits a carved pumpkin, a Peddler’s Village staff member will complete an entry tag on which the participant’s entry number and entry category will be noted. These tags will be attached to the stem of the pumpkin.
  • TIPS
    – A strong idea is key. Sometimes the best entries are the simplest, yet most recognizable.
    – Craftsmanship can make or break the overall look of a project.