The first October that we were in Yakima,(1991) we held the first Great Pumpkin Carving Contest. I believe that it originated with the idea of thanking all the people who had befriended us since our arrival. Neighbors and co-workers and their children, as well as our children’s friends were invited. It turned out to be a gala event.
We held it in the field in front of our barn. The trampoline was hauled out there and we had tables and benches set up. People were asked to bring raw pumpkins to carve. I forget who we set up as impartial judges but it was arranged that every participant (child) would get an award. There were categories such as “Most Scary”, ‘Most Beautiful”, “Most original”, “Most creative”, Most Friendly”, etc. We had made ribbons and certificates for the winners.
It was a glorious, sunny, Fall day and we had a crowd! The gutting of pumpkins began in earnest and there were refreshments both provided and brought, apple cider, tea and coffee (I had borrowed an urn from school). Buckets of pumpkin guts and chunks were hauled to our newly-made composting area and the next year did we EVER have a bumper crop of pumpkin plants!
The final resulting creations were lined up on the long picnic table benches and a few spare hay bales. Then serious judging began. In the end, everyone took home a winner and I remember that it was dusk before the last contestants and parents left. I think a good time was had by all and I think it help put our little family “on the map”in the neighborhood.
JP 12-22-2011
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