The Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s Third Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve is set to showcase the creative efforts of 50 of the region’s best artists carving 50 gigantic pumpkins.
The autumn event is set to be held in a new location, Woolsey Park, from Wednesday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 15. Visitors of all ages will have a chance to be wowed by 150-pound sculptures and food truck fare.
Activities and special events will include evening storytelling around fire pits with s’mores kits and cider, “guess-the-weight” giant pumpkin contest, paint-a-pumpkin craft tent, Hopewell Township history kiosk and fun photo opportunities. The fall-themed images of amateur and professional artists will be on display in the Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s first annual photography show at the Amazing Pumpkin Carve.
“The Amazing Pumpkin Carve is a wonderful opportunity for the Hopewell Valley Arts Council to showcase the creativity and talent of our local artists, to celebrate with our families and our community, and enjoy a beautiful time of year in this special place,” said Carol Lipson, president, Hopewell Valley Arts Council Board of Trustees.
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Arts Council is partnering with the Hopewell Valley Uniformed Firefighters Association to present Fire Safety Day, and they’ve also joined with the Hopewell Valley Historic Preservation Committee for the rededication of Woolsey Park.
Special events begin Friday night with a sneak peek for Hopewell Valley Arts Council members and sponsors, and then the Carve opens to the public at 7 p.m. with three performances of The Pennington Studio’s rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Saturday will kick off with a dedication ceremony for the renaming of Woolsey Park (formerly Alliger Park) and salute to Hopewell Valley’s first responders at 9 a.m. The Third Annual Fire Safety Open House will follow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be fire trucks, safety demonstrations, K-9 dogs, a helicopter landing, and a walk-through fire safety house built from hay bales.
On Sunday, Oct. 15, the Hopewell Valley Arts Council will auction off the artistic pumpkins, giving bidders an opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind temporary work of art.
The Amazing Pumpkin Carve is open for five days at Woolsey Park, 221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville. Entry to the pumpkin viewing tent: adults, $10; ages 11–18, $5; under 10, free.
Hours and activities vary, so check the HV Arts Council’s website for details: hvartscouncil.org.
The Amazing Pumpkin Carve is hosted by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council. The Arts Council says ticket proceeds benefit the HV Arts Council, a nonprofit organization, and go toward artist-carvers’ honoraria and to fund other arts-related programs of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
A pumpkin carved by Katie Eggleston for a previous Pumpkin Carve.,
