Sustainabites is a reoccurring feature that delivers the freshest news about sustainable eats and eco-friendly dining destinations in our area.
Now that you have picked through the finest pumpkin patches in our area, PA Eats spoke with local artist, Colly Kelly of Colly Company, for advice on how to carve a world class pumpkin.
Colly Kelly was raised in New England and has been carving pumpkins since she was a kid. For the past 20 years, she has participated in the Great Pumpkin Carve and received a few honorable mentions. She also draws quite the crowd when she participates in the Chester County Art Association’s Pumpkin Carve, where she has placed first a few times.
Not all pumpkins, gourds and squashes are created equal; the traditional orange varieties are the easier to carve than newer varieties like fairy tale or princess pumpkins. When it comes to selecting your pumpkin, you should be able to leave an indent on its surface with your fingernail. A rule Colly recommends is: the harder the surface the more difficult to carve.
Colly picks designs for her pumpkins based on a pumpkin’s characteristics and shapes.
Skip the plastic kits at the Supermarket and invest in a pumpkin carving kit that will last for a few Halloweens. Colly’s tool box includes a butcher’s knife, a jigsaw, an ice pick for the insides and clay and wood tools.
There are two types of carvings–exterior and interior. Exterior designs are intricately carved onto the pumpkin’s surface and can last for months. If you allow your gourd to complete dry out, you can cut off the top and can use it as a bowl or vase beyond Hallow’s Eve.
Test your newly acquired carving skills at one of these events or watch local artists compete for the coveted top carver awards.
Chester County Art Association Pumpkin Carve!
Wednesday, October 26, 5 to 8 p.m.
100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester
Bring your own carving tools to the Art Association to decorate pumpkins two ways. Carving costs are $10 per participant and carvers of all ages are entered for a chance to win a few art classes or two tickets to CCAA’s Annual Gala. Families and artists can paint their pumpkins for a fee of $2-$5 depending on the pumpkin.
The Great Pumpkin Carve
October 27-29, 5 to 9 p.m.
CFHS Barn Visitors Center, 1736 Creek Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
This three-day festival celebrates one glorious gourd with hayrides, live music, delicious foods. Over 50 local artists compete in a carving contest on Friday evening. The pumpkins weigh between 100 and 400 pounds and are provided by SIW Vegetables. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 for kids between the ages of 7 and 17, free for children 6 and under and for Chadds Ford History Society members.
Side Bar’s Second Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
Wednesday, October 26, 8 p.m.
10 E. Gay St., West Chester
Side Bar will be serving up the carving supplies, pumpkins and a patch worth of pumpkin beers, you just need to bring your creativity! Winners will receive a dinner for two at Side Bar.
Victory Brewing Company Fall Pumpkin Carving Contest
Victors who carve the best Victory image (logos, slogans, brand or brand characters) will win Victory gear and a $50 gift card. Participants must email a picture of their pumpkin with their name, age, phone number, mailing address and T-shirt size to [email protected] by Monday, Oct. 17. Winners will be announced on Oct. 31. Click here for official rules.
Stay tuned next week for the next SustainaBITES installment, when local chefs share their favorite gourd-geous recipes. Happy Carving!
