Are you more inclined to attend the 2014 Gourd Festival or the 2014 Pumpkin Festival? If you are in the pumpkin preference camp consider yourself fortunate to live here. Why you might wonder? Because Carmel is now the official home of the 2014 Pumpkin Festival.
That’s right. The 2014 Pumpkin Festival kicks off the Holiday Season on Oct. 25 in the heart of Carmel’s Government Center at Civic Square. Beginning at 4 p.m. and not ending until 8 p.m. that same evening, the 2014 Pumpkin Festival boasts free admission.
The Carmel Arts Council and the Carmel Mayors Youth Council teamed up this year to throw the first joint Pumpkin Festival. Although the Carmel Mayors Youth Council produced similar events in the past, teaming up with the ladies of the Arts Council insures a doubly spectacular event.
Dee Kerber, Sue Collier, Meg Gates Osborne and Connie Titak of the Carmel Arts Council and Matt Klineman from Carmel Mayors Youth Council came together to plan the event.
Sue Collier said, “It was Dee Kerber’s idea to hold some kind of festival in the fall. Joining with students from CHS who had done this before seemed like a natural fit.”
The organizing team is planning lots of fun events for attendees of the festival. Pumpkins will take center stage and set the tone for your experience. Lee Saberson is a Master Pumpkin Carver and will be on hand demonstrating his proficiency of turning a average looking rinds into a scary face. Attendees will have the opportunity to buy a pumpkin and then decorate it to match their personality. Or, carve and decorate your pumpkin in advance (that is NOT cheating) and bring it with you. All relatives of the squash family found on site will be arbitrated by pumpkin artistic specialists who will ultimately crown a winner. From 6 until closing, the pumpkins will be lighted and on display for all to enjoy. Sure to be a highlight of the evening.
Hay Rides for just $1 are planned to give it that fall feeling. Personalities from Carmel High School radio station WHJE will also be on hand spinning the vinyl (or playing an iPod) and setting the appropriate mood for the day. Live entertainment at the Gazebo, food booths, CHS Clubs and a huge raffle are also intended for the festival. Wondering what to wear? Come in your favorite Spiderman or Elsa the Snow Queen costume of course. Good day, Carmel.
