PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 2012

Winners of Pumpkin-Carving Contest in the
H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens (October 19 - 20, 2012)

A view of the eastern side of the Event Lawn just before the sun set and the jack-o'-lanterns were lighted on Friday, October 19, 2012.

This year the Arboretum held its second Pumpkin Festival featuring a pumpkin-carving contest and lighted jack-o-lantern display (October 19-20, 2012).

On Sunday and Monday, October 14 and 15, we distributed 800 pumpkins free (first come/first served) to anyone who registered to enter the contest. Those who did not receive pumpkins at the Arboretum were welcome to provide their own pumpkins. There were 350 jack-o'-lanterns submitted, and the contestants received a gift certificate for Penn State's Berkey Creamery.

One of the most ornate entries in the jack-o'-lantern contest (adult category)

The jack-o'-lanterns were displayed on the Event Lawn during an open house in the gardens from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2012, and were lighted for public viewing on both Friday and Saturday evenings (October 19 and 20) from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Pumpkin Festival Panel of Judges

A panel of local campus and community leaders served as judges for the pumpkin-carving contest.

Steve Bair, fire director, Centre Region Council of Governments
Bruce McPheron, dean, College of Agricultural Sciences
Robert O’Donnell, superintendent, State College Area School District
Graeme Sullivan, director, School of Visual Arts

Ribbons were awarded for the best in each of seven categories, and for the best-in-show, best traditional jack-o'-lantern face, best Penn State theme, and best Arboretum theme. In addition, every child from age 2 through 7 who entered a jack-o'-lantern received a ribbon for participating in the contest.

Best-in-show ribbon was awarded to Han-Wei Shih
for the above design. (Photo by Tina Hay)

Pumpkin-Carving Contest Winners

Age Group: 2-4
1st Bryan Hoyt
2nd Paisley Taylor
3rd Arthur Swartz

Age Group: 5-7
1st Odessa Gregor
2nd Violet Doyle
3rd Joshua Xu

Age Group: 8-10
1st Amelia Wyckoff
2nd Savannah Niedermyer
3rd Brooke Williams

Age Group: 11-13
1st Quinn Williams
2nd Gabi Clark
3rd Hayden Yoder

Age Group: 14-17
1st Miranda Chen
2nd Anna Graef
3rd Eleanor Wing

Penn State Student
1st Alex Becker
2nd Eric Vanistendael
3rd Jaeyoung Choe

Adult
1st Beth Hendershot
2nd Corrine Webster
3rd Angie Williams

Best Traditional Jack-o-Lantern Face
Kirk Swanson

Best Penn State Theme
Paul Wright

Best Arboretum Theme
Development Communications - Ray Marsh/April Scimio

Best-in-Show
Han-Wei Shih

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Best Arboretum Theme Winner
(Ray Marsh and April Scimio)

Thank you to the Vargo family whose generous gift made this community event possible.

Winners of Pumpkin-Carving Contest in the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens (October 19 - 20, 2012)

Winners of Pumpkin-Carving Contest in the
H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens (October 19 - 20, 2012)