Harrington, DE (October 15, 2018) – With fall upon us, the Biggs Museum and the Delaware State Fair are gearing up for the First Annual Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival on October 26th and 27th 2018.
About The Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival
The Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival is an all-weather Halloween classic that will take place at the Delaware State Fairgrounds under the roof in the Quillen Arena. Families can come check out the Pumpkin Trail of 50 amazingly carved pumpkins, each weighing from 100 – 300 pounds! The pumpkins will be carved by community members of various experience levels – from beginner to seasoned pros.
The festival will begin with the pumpkin carving competition on Friday evening, October 26th at 4:00 p.m. when the 50 enrolled carvers and their teams meet their assigned pumpkins for the first time and begin carving under the watchful eye of festival spectators who are invited to attend. Besides watching giant pumpkins being sliced and diced and otherwise transformed into works of Halloween art, festival patrons can participate in hayrides, purchase seasonal beer & wine drinks, kids activities including miniature pumpkin decorating and so much more! Kids and adults are encouraged to come wearing their Halloween costumes for Saturday’s costume competition. “Celebrity Carver” Patrick Cabry, artist and professional pumpkin carver, will also be on hand to demonstrate carving tips and tricks for the public to see.
The festival will continue into Saturday, October 27th, when the 50 carved pumpkins will be creatively illuminated and displayed on hay bales in a Halloween themed holiday setting. Saturday’s events will include the costume competition, kids’ activities, hay rides, food vendors, beer and wine sales, Centre Ice Rink activities including the new bumper cars on ice rides and FREE public skating, trick-or-treating and a walk-through of the decorated campsites at the Grove!
Event Features
Carving Competition
The 50 pumpkin carvers of all ages and experience levels can begin carving their 100-300 lb. “Atlantic Giant” pumpkins on Friday at 4 p.m. The event will then open to the public at 5 p.m., who can watch the carver create their masterpieces. The pumpkins will be judged later that evening for prizes. Also, throughout the weekend the public are invited to cast their vote to select a “people’s choice” winner.
Interested in throwing your hat in the ring and becoming an event pumpkin carver? Carvers come in all ages and from all backgrounds, and can include individuals, families, or a work group carving team. In order to carve at the festival, simply complete the free online application at: www.delawarepumpkincarve.com/carverapp. There are only a limited amount of pumpkins left to carve which will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t wait!
Food and Drink
A variety of food trucks and foods will be available at the event both days: K&R Concessions will bring the classics – candy apples, pretzels and flavored kettle korn. Bonz will have hot dogs and hamburgers available; Fifer Orchards will bring a fall – favorite: apple cider and apple cider donuts. Pizza Capo will have wood-fire pizza, cheesesteaks, sausage sandwiches, chicken tenders and more! Casapulla’s Subs will join in on Saturday for delicious subs and steaks. And for those 21 and over, seasonal alcohol beverages will be offered.
Kids Activities
The following kid’s activities are included with gate admission:
– A Mini Hay Maze – A challenger for the little ones! It’s tall enough for them and short enough so you can keep an eye out!* Jack-Be-Little’s Pumpkin Craft – The first 1,000 children at the festival can work with the team at the Biggs Museum of American Art to decorate jack-be-little pumpkins!
– Costume Contest – Get creative. Be original! Costume contest is free and open to all ages. Sign-in will begin on Saturday at 3:00m and judging at 4:00 p.m.
– Face Painting – Face painting will be available on Saturday starting at 3 p.m.
Delaware By Hand Artist Nook
There will be approximately 20 Delaware By Hand artists and crafters with booths at the Festival. Delaware By Hand are the artist membership of the Biggs Museum. In this artist corner, visitors will be able to browse and purchase local, handmade items including jewelry, woodwork, cards, stationary, prints, paintings, and more.
Spooky Bumper Cars
Make sure to check out the Haunted and Spooky Centre Ice Rink featuring the new bumper cars on ice! Whirl, zoom and bump into your friends. The Rink will be open on Friday from 8:00pm to 10:00pm and on Saturday from 3:00pm to 9:00pm.
Camping
If you have never camped at the Fair now is your chance! For only $100 you will receive 2 nights of camping along with 4 weekend wristbands to enjoy the pumpkin competition and festival activities. Campers also get to participate in the campsite decorating competition. The themes are: Most-Halloween and Most Fall-Festive. Winners receive a free night of camping and a grand rosette!