The Great Pumpkin Carve has been working its way through the village of Chadds Ford for decades. In that time it has also worked its way into local lore and into the hearts of virtually everyone who has ever taken part or simply been a witness.
As the story goes, it started at the Chadds Ford Inn until, as someone once said, “The pumpkins got in the way of the drunks.”
Another story says it moved from the inn after a young — and now famous — artist stepped back to admire his work, but stepped back into Route 1 where he was almost hit by a car.
From there it went to the Barn Shoppes until that location became too small. Then to the parking lot at Hank’s Place until that site, too, was too small. The Brandywine River Museum took over then, but the event soon outgrew that parking lot.
Since 1991 its been held in the meadow at the Chadds Ford Historical Society. It continues to grow in popularity to the point where some people come from as far away as California. During its three nights, as many as 15,000 people flow through the pumpkin patch, delighting in what the carvers create.
This year saw a new feature added to the fun, a haunted trail courtesy of Phyllis Recca and Gene Pisassale. The trail featured scenes, one with ghouls coming up through their graves.
In all, 75 carvers whittled, cut, chiseled and otherwise did nasty things to giant pumpkins this year. The event is one of the major fund-raisers for the Historical Society.
The winners of this year's Carve can be found here.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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