When words such as awesome, fun, creative and talented are bandied about in Chadds Ford during late October, the conversation is almost always about The Great Pumpkin Carve. This year was no exception.

With 76 pumpkins waiting for the skilled scalpel — or penknife, saw or chisel —almost as many carvers marched into the “Pumpkin Patch” at the Chadds Ford Historical Society meadow ready to create, sculpt and have some fun.

The society’s George Franz said there were almost 14,000 pounds of pumpkins for this year’s event with 73 carvers scheduled for opening night on Oct. 23. He said three pumpkins were set aside for demonstrations during the next two nights.

By 5 p.m., the work began.

Most of the carvers were veterans of The Carve. Perennial participants Chuck Feld, Debbie Parry and John Bileik were on hand as were returnees April Margera and Chadds Ford residents Nilus and Disha Mattive.

“It’s a good community event,” Nilus Mattive said while he and his wife were working to turn a pumpkin into a mandala, the geometric figure of Hindu and Buddhist symbol for the universe.

For Bileik, originally from Pocopson Township but who now lives in Greenville, the goal is to meet new creative challenges and to do something for his family.

“I have three kids now and they love it,” he said.

Parry, an 11-year veteran, said it’s “absolute fun” while Margera, from Concord, went a little deeper.

“There’s the artistry, but there’s also a great neighborhood spirit,” she said.

“Simple things are the best things,” she said.

And while it’s fun and creative for the carvers, it’s absolute fun for the visitors.

“I love it,” said Joanne Rotter, from Concord Township. “It’s very creative. Absolutely.”

Her friend Diane Garling simply said, “It’s awesome.”

Both have been coming to The Carve for years. That’s not the case for Amanda Vaile, a first time visitor from Hockessin. However, she echoed Garling.

“It’s awesome. I never even heard of this before. We just got here five minutes ago and this is crazy how intricate these people are getting. It’s awesome,” she said.

Her friend, Eamon Dunlavey, said he came to the event as a kid, but this was his first timed as an adult.

“This is the first timed I ever saw it while they were still working. It’s insane,” he said.

Another first timer was Robin Colone, of West Grove.

“It’s remarkable. Beautiful,” she said. “I didn’t know much about it, but I’m really glad I came. I’m going to comeback Saturday with my children.”

Colone’s friend, Jim Carr, of Wilmington, said he used to bring his daughter when she was young, but hadn’t attended for a while.

“It’s fabulous,” he said. “I’m an artist myself and I couldn’t do this. I’ll tell you that right now. The craftsmanship and creativity are unbelievable.”

Kimberly Ryna, from Delaware, another first timer, was impressed and also thinks she might like to take the next step.

“It’s really neat. I didn’t know it was here, but I feel like I could participate…Everything that goes into it is neat. There are kids helping, older folks, parents and their whole family. That’s neat, bringing the whole family together,” she said.

This was the fifth time for her friend, Michelle Fischer, from Wilmington.

“Every time I come here I’m completely amazed. I have such an appreciation for the artwork and the dedication people put into their pumpkins,” Fischer said.

She was also impressed with the haunted trail, now in its second year as a part of the festivities.

The Great Pumpkin Carve is one of the major fund-raising events for the Chadds Ford Historical Society. The event began decades ago on the porch of the Chadds Ford Inn.

According to local lore, it only moved when the pumpkins started getting in the way of the drunks and a young, now famous, local artist was almost hit by a car when he inadvertently stepped back into Route 1 while admiring the creations.

The Carve spent time in the parking lot of Hank’s Place and the Brandywine River Museum and  in the Barn Shoppes before the Historical Society gave it its current home.

The next fund-raiser for the CFHS is Candlelight Christmas scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6.

The winners of the 2014 Great Pumpkin Carve awards, other than everyone who had a good time, are:

Best Overall- Tony Mottola
Most Halloween- Lieschen Fish
Best Carving- John Bilek
Most Original- Erin Eldredge
Best Use of Pumpkin- William DeHaven
People's Choice- John Bilek

Honorable Mentions:
Most Halloween- Noelle Derksen
Best Carving- Joe Suto
Most Original- Jennifer Duffy
Best Use of Pumpkin- Heather Siple