Arizona

The Fun Side of Pumpkins

by Ingrid

I’m not a huge fan of Halloween in general and never have been. The whole scary costume thing and gory decorations isn’t something I embrace. Scary movies? Not me!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden Carefree Arizona

My tastes fall along the lines of cute and funny. I enjoy seeing little kids dressed up as princesses or cartoon characters. Keeping things light and funny is much more to my liking. Throw in some fall colors, the smell of apple cider and cinnamon, pumpkin carvings and there ya have it … I’m all in … fall fun!

In my last post, I already shared photos from my visit to an engaging pumpkin exhibit, but since it’s Halloween, I felt compelled to share even more images from the pumpkin event.

Pumpkin Carvings

Visiting the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden in Carefree, Arizona, was my kind of autumn entertainment. These pumpkin displays are a delight for people of all ages, but especially for those of us on the mature side. To compliment the amusing display is an equally humorous newspaper.

Check out the Stem Enhancement Clinic …

Check out the big stems on the pumpkins on the left exiting the clinic – those are some huge stems 🤣
Stem enhancement clinic?
And even a coupon for stem enhancement in the newspaper …. This is too funny!

(To enlarge photos in a gallery, click on any photo. To return to the post, click on the x at the top. To read the newspaper articles, you may have to zoom in via your internet settings. Sorry, I tried my best scanning the newspaper.)

The jail exhibit was comedic. While the sheriff bends over to pick up money on the ground, a mouse on a stick is lowered down to grab the jail keys from the sheriffs hip. Someone is trying to escape from jail with the help of his buddies!

I had the opportunity to visit the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden on three different occasions, and during each visit, I noticed more pumpkins carved and a few changes here and there in the scenes. Talk about creative, imaginative, and talented!

Carrots used as darts. Now that’s a mouth full.
Someone had a little too much to drink.
Dr. Sanibal Pepper aka The Pumpkin Gutter
Hannibal Lecter? No it’s “the Pumpkin Gutter” waiting for his turn to be hanged.

I really appreciate all the hard work that goes into putting on such an entertaining exhibit. The show ran from October 19-28 and every evening the pumpkins are collected by the local fire department and floated in the fountain pool … 1. to keep the carved pumpkins hydrated and 2. to keep them out of reach of javelinas.

Near the end of the exhibit, rumor has it, the night guard fell asleep in his truck and javelinas started noshing on the 693 pound pumpkin that the sculptors had yet to complete carving.

You can see where the javelinas started eating this 693 pound winning size pumpkin, bottom left.

Every morning, the pumpkins are returned to their display/scene. The sculpted ones are sprayed with water periodically throughout the day to help keep them from dehydrating, but many do not last for the entire show. Thus, new pumpkins are carved regularly. Yep, it takes a lot of talented people to provide us with this free entertainment.

And a few more photos just for fun …

dealing with the septic truck – no wonder his nose is plugged
jumping from a burning barn!
Rock climbing pumpkins
On belay!
Dog walking with poop bag!
Another drunk pumpkin gets sick!
The sculptors who carve the pumpkins are quite talented.
Each display tells a story. A septic truck pumping up pumpkin seed waste.

Happy Halloween everyone …. hope you enjoy YOUR kind of day!

(affiliate links)
Too Many PumpkinsLEGO Seasonal Set Thanksgiving Feast

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70 thoughts on “The Fun Side of Pumpkins”

  2. Didn’t even think about them getting eaten, what a great group, probably volunteers, to do the continued maintenance to on the pumpkin patch. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We had the pleasure of talking to the main sculptor (I think) and he briefed us on the routine and happenings. Somewhat jokingly, he told us the night before was a mass murder by a group of javelinas 🤣 That morning entailed some clean up and new carvings.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Not a huge fan of halloween either but I do love the pumpkin carvings and these are exceptional. Wow, just amazing. Love the humorous and light hearted side as well. Here in Sri Lanka, no halloween whatsoever.. ahaha.

    Peta

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Peta. I don’t know of any other countries than the U.S. that celebrates Halloween, but I could be wrong. With that said, it’s a holiday I could do without, but do love pumpkins and fall colors!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. So many fun things to see and do in the Phoenix valley, but then again, you would know 😉 I’m hoping to explore new things this winter. Feel free to share any of your favorites!

      Liked by 2 people

  11. Like you, I love the colors and activities of fall but can do without the scary and gory Halloween happenings. This was such a delightful post and I do so admire the pumpkin carvers’ creativity. Kudos to everyone behind the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden for providing a family friendly, fun-filled Halloween activity! (And a special round of applause to the firefighters who protect the pumpkins from harm!)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. The overnight security guard is suppose to keep watch for vandals and javelinas. Javelinas are the main concern … interesting creatures. We had a group of’m under our RV one night 😮

      Liked by 1 person

        1. An interesting encounter that got the heart pounding. My husband yelled at them (from the top of the stairs) and before I could grab my camera they were running up the street … leaving their stench behind!

          Liked by 1 person

  20. Wow! FABULOUS PICTURES! Of this fun place! We go every year and enjoy it so much!

    Happy Halloween! Come on over this evening if you wish. We will be passing out candy and sitting out front with the neighbors!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I ended up stopping by the pumpkins three times this year … once early in the morning before too many people showed up. Great photo-op time.

      Sorry, I didn’t get your comment until this morning. Our daughter ended up coming over yesterday and we enjoyed drinks on the patio.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Definitely keep it in mind. This winter I’m hoping to explore more of the Phoenix valley. One day, I’ll target a day trip to Queen Creek to visit Schnepf Farms and the Olive Mill.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. I wanted to read this post, and I tried four or five times but kept getting an aggravating ad telling me I was going to win a $1,000 gift card for answering their questions. So frustrating, it looked like a good article too! But I never finished it.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

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