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!
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 …

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!
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 …
Happy Halloween everyone …. hope you enjoy YOUR kind of day!
(affiliate links)
Too Many Pumpkins
LEGO Seasonal Set Thanksgiving Feast
Best pumpkins ever! Too cute! 😀
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Yes, cute indeed!
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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Those are some of the most incredible pumpkin carvings I’ve ever seen. So creative. I’m not much for scary either but yes to those wee princesses.
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They sure captivated my attention 😊
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I’m with you, I go for the cute creative Halloween decor although Halloween is never my favorite holiday celebration.
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I’m with you and used to hate having to constantly answer the door for trick or treaters when we lived in a subdivision. So not a favorite holiday!
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You summed up my feelings about Halloween perfectly!! That pumpkin display was very well done, thanks for sharing your pictures.
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Seems I’m not alone in leanings toward cute vs. gory. Always fun discovering these kinds of interesting events.
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That is so clever gee they have some very talented people.
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Agree, very talented and clever 😃
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The Drunk Pumpkins were the best ever….thank you for sharing! Nancy
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Thank you Nancy. The whole event was rather comedic – loved it 😃
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What a talented bunch of people! Wish I were close enough to visit. Great post!
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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!
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Oh that pumpkin gutter is too funny! I feel the same way towards halloween, less blood more Disney characters please. Great post!
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Every time I passed the “pumpkin gutter”, I laughed. So funny!
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Haha it really is a good one!!
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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!)
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Thank you Mary. Seems the Carefree firefighters are multi-talented in their care for pumpkins as well as humans 😆. Definitely a worthwhile family event!
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Wonderful Halloween gallery, Ingrid. BOO!! 🎃
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Thanks – hope you had a fun day!
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Some phenomenal results love the drunk action shots
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Agree – the drunk pumpkin was pretty funny!
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Love the pumpkins in the pool – ha! – cute 🙂
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I chuckled the first time I saw them floating around – very entertaining!
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What a fun place to visit! Thanks for taking us along 🙂
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Nice to hear you enjoyed the post!
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These are great! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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You welcome and I’m glad you enjoyed 😀
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This is too fun! What imaginative powers at work! Love it.
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Some very talented and creative people for sure!
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Amazing & enjoyable! I appreciate you’re sharing.
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Glad you enjoyed 😊
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Very talented displays there. I wonder how they keep critters from nibbling on the art though 😉
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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 😮
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That would’ve scared me!
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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!
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Yeah! The side effect of those things – PU!
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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!
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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.
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Family is everything! Hugs !!
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😚🍹🍂
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How amazing is the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, Ingrid. That is some serious pumpkin art! Loved it. xx
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I know … amazing! It was so fun to see which is why I visited more than once.
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This post made me laugh and put me in a Halloween mood this Morning!
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Glad I could add a little festivity to your day. I still find myself amused just looking at the pics.
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Happy Halloween!
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And the same to you 🎃
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Love it – That is a very different view of the pumpkin/jack-o-lantern. Very cool photos
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The event was a fun way to spend an afternoon!
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I am with you on this one. Bring on the cute and funny! Loved this post!
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Thanks Jana – something to keep in mind if you’re visiting Phoenix in October.
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Some of these carvings are unbelievable! Such talent to create such a fun display!
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I watched one of the artists sculpting a pumpkin. He did it with such ease … I was awed.
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Thanks for sharing Ingrid. We will have to put this in our to do list next fall if we are in town. Loved all the photos.
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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.
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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
>
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So sorry to hear 😥 I’ll look into it and see if it’s anything on my end that I might have control over.
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I agree with you, I like the cute and clever for Halloween. Forget about the gory. Thanks for sharing such a creative pumpkin display.
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Yeah, I can do without the gory and much prefer this kind of entertainment. Very fun!
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Great post 😁
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Thank you 🎃
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No problem 😁 happy Halloween!!
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Stop by my blog when you get the chance 🙂
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Love those pumpkins that are just slightly carved from the outside. It’s would be fun to try something like this, but I’m thinking my non-existent artistic talent wouldn’t carry me too far.
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I know I wouldn’t even bother trying … my pumpkin carving/artists skills are virtually non existent 😆 I’ll enjoy the work of professionals!
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