Eli Groman, a fourth year student at Auburn University School of Architecture, Design and Construction, is excited about the 17th annual Pumpkin Carve on Oct. 28.
He’s co-chair of the all-day event, which is a fundraiser for the Auburn University chapter of the American Institute of Architecture.
Ashley Clark, also a fourth year student, is the president of the AIAS this year.
“It’s a community event,” she said. “People can buy pumpkins and food. We’ll have an art gallery where students from the art and architecture departments will show their work and it will be on sale.”
The AIAS will sell pumpkins for $5 each and provide carving inspiration for free.
The art and architecture students will have created elaborately carved pumpkins that will be shown. The college students also will have worked with fifth graders in the Auburn school system to create other pumpkins that will be showcased.
The best creations will be auctioned off at the event. Other carved pumpkins can be obtained with small donations.
Clark said other activities at the event will include The Ambassadors chili cook-off, a children’s costume contest, face painting and trick-or-treating with Aubie, the Auburn mascot.
“We’d love to have everyone come,” Clark said.
Carving tips
Here are Groman’s top tips for pumpkin carving.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself. “It’s just a great time,” Groman said.
• Take out as much of the “innards” as possible, to make the “walls” of the pumpkin easier to carve.
• When you’re taking the top off the pumpkin off, make sure to angle your cut. Otherwise, when you put the top back in, it will just fall inside to the bottom.
• Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pumpkin as level as you can make it so the candle will stand up.
• Don’t be afraid to be creative. Last year’s winner was a pumpkin robot, Groman said.
• Have a plan.
• Make sure you have the right tools to carve the pumpkin, including a strong ladle to scoop out the innards and sharp knives for cutting.
• Save the seeds to roast and eat.
