For the love of The Carve

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on October 22, 2015

Yoda by Mark Rutt

Updated on Friday, Oct. 23, to add winners

It might have been unseasonably warm for a Halloween type of event, but no one complained about the weather during the opening night of the 2015 Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society on Oct. 22.

There were no attendance figures available, but incoming traffic along Creek Road was still backed up after 8 p.m. The event closed at 9 p.m.

As usual, dozens of carvers hacked, stabbed, slashed, shaved, drilled and whittled their way into the annals of Chadds Ford folklore.

More than 70 carvers and carving teams were on hand this year, carving out everything from standard Halloween motif, to characters from science fiction and even one political caricature.

For the audience, the warm weather and the artistic touch were a great mix.

For Kim Wolfe, who drove into town from Souderton in Montgomery County, The Carve was a huge hit.

“My first time was two years ago and it was freezing cold. I had layers and layers of clothes, so I’m enjoying this weather a lot more, but the pumpkins were amazing. I had never seen anything like it. I would say this year is even better. It’s worth the travel time to come down here.”

Michael Person didn’t have to travel as far. The Pocopson resident has been attending The Carve for 30 years and he said it keeps getting better. But he said it’s not just the pumpkins that impress him. He likes the haunted trail, now in its third year at the event.

“This is better than ever. The atmosphere, how it’s managed bring me back I like the atmosphere the most,” Person said.

Jack and Jeanne Sweeney, of Bethel Township, have been attending for six years and they wouldn’t miss it.

“It’s an annual event for us,” Jack Sweeney said. “This year is more crowded. I think everyone’s taking advantage of the good weather, but the pumpkins are fantastic. It gets better and better every year.”

The carved pumpkins will remain on display through Saturday night.

Yoda by Mark Rutt, Pumpkin No. 73, took the top prize of Best Overall; honorable mention went to Chris Belton's dragon creation, which is No. 66.

Other winners were Most Halloween, Michael Hall, No. 45, with honorable mention for Tony Mottola's No. 61. Michelle McDonald's No. 8 received Best Carving honors with honorable mention for Linda Allen's No. 34. The award for Most Original went to Ken Blackburn, No. 40, while John Bilek earned honorable mention. Best Use of Pumpkin scored a win for Elizabeth Colly Kelly, No. 70, and honorable mention for Shawn Rairigh's No. 56.

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.