15th Anniversary Giant Pumpkin Carve A Hit!
Our 2011 Giant Pumpkin Carve on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Salem County Fair Grounds drew record attendance of close to 4,500 people. About 40 local professional, amateur and student artists worked many hours transforming 62 great gourds into innovative works of art.
Musical entertainment, free hay rides, a variety of new children's activities such as Trunk-R-Treat for kids 12 and under in costume, straw maze, crowning of the Pumpkin Princess and more were all part of the admission.
Artists included: Molly Sanger Carpenter, Deborah Smith, Katie Bitter, Michele Faulkner and many others. View the 2011 creations and winners.
Proceeds from the gate, sponsorships and donations will help Meals on Wheels of Salem County, Inc. provide about 7,600 hot meals to elderly homebound in Salem County throughout the year. Meals on Wheels of Salem County, Inc. began in 1977 and currently serves over 40,000 meals each year.
The annual autumn event offers a fun and safe way to welcome fall, celebrate the agricultural richness of Salem County and, at the same time, offer a unique venue for local artists to display their work. “Perfect weather combined with strong community support, made it one of our best Giant Pumpkin Carve events in several years,” said Meals on Wheels director Peg Marshall. “We were truly grateful and overwhelmed by the high attendance. We watched the lines grow very long while enthusiastic spectators waited to see the pumpkin exhibits,” she explained. “We are so grateful they were patient while waiting for the barns to grow dark so we could kick off the judging and properly display the magic of the lit pumpkins, which look entirely different in daylight.” She added, “The efforts of our all-volunteer committee who devoted many months planning the Giant Pumpkin Carve, the 150 volunteers and members of our Board of Trustees, as well as many non-profit community organizations who spent long hours working at the event should be commended for their dedication and hard work.
Marshall also commented, “While we feel the event was a tremendous success, there is always room for improvement. We welcome feedback or participation on our 2012 committee to help us keep the format fresh and the flow of activities enjoyable for everyone.”
To serve on our 2012 committee or participate in the 2012 event as an artist, volunteer or sponsor, or to register your vehicle for Trunk-R-Treat, or your child for Pumpkin Princess/Prince Pageant, click here to email us or call (856) 935-3663 and ask for Peg or Ruth Ann.
Our thanks to Dean Cipriano, local businessman, whose vision for The Giant Pumpkin Carve provides a unique way to help local charity by promoting the culture of Salem County.
