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Arlington Public Library

2020 Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners

Having a Gourd Time with Your Library!

We are thrilled to have received 42 pumpkin submissions for our first virtual Pumpkin Decorating Contest! It was hard to choose the winners, as we adored so many. Thank you for submitting, attending the virtual decorating programs and carving out fun with the folks at the library!

Best Kids Upto Grade 5 Pumpkin:
"The Witch" by Elaina Villwock

“I was not alone in the pumpkin patch. There were warty pumpkins and neat pumpkins and big pumpkins and small pumpkins. One day, a farmer picked me up out of my patch and drove me to a nearby grocery store to sell me. Soon, a masked man came and picked me up (it’s coronavirus, dude). He drove me to his home and there was a little girl and her mom. They cut me and carved me and poked me and prodded me. One time, my owner picked me up and put me in the bathroom (for some reason). I finally saw myself through the bathroom mirror. I had an ugly, big nose and a long pointy black hat and silver paint smudged everywhere and big eyes. And then I thought, this look suits me.” – The Witch (aka Eliana, age 8)
Eliana Villwock, "The Witch" - “I was not alone in the pumpkin patch. There were warty pumpkins and neat pumpkins and big pumpkins and small pumpkins. One day, a farmer picked me up out of my patch and drove me to a nearby grocery store to sell me. Soon, a masked man came and picked me up (it’s coronavirus, dude). He drove me to his home and there was a little girl and her mom. They cut me and carved me and poked me and prodded me. One time, my owner picked me up and put me in the bathroom (for some reason). I finally saw myself through the bathroom mirror. I had an ugly, big nose and a long pointy black hat and silver paint smudged everywhere and big eyes. And then I thought, this look suits me.” – The Witch (aka Eliana, age 8)

Best Grade 6-12 Pumpkin:
"Just Eat It" by Anne Amoussou

Anne Amoussou, "Just Eat It"

Best Adult Pumpkin (TIE):
"It's a Magical World" by Steve Madaio and
"Arthur Celebrates Libraries" by Abby Hargreaves

The "stars" were made using 3 different sized nails inserted at various angles, so their luminosity changes depending on your viewing angle. So if you walk around the pumpkin, it "twinkles". Also, Hobbes' orange fur is the skin of the pumpkin.
The "stars" were made using 3 different sized nails inserted at various angles, so their luminosity changes depending on your viewing angle. So if you walk around the pumpkin, it "twinkles". Also, Hobbes' orange fur is the skin of the pumpkin.
Steve Madaio, "It's a Magical World" - The "stars" were made using 3 different sized nails inserted at various angles, so their luminosity changes depending on your viewing angle. So if you walk around the pumpkin, it "twinkles". Also, Hobbes' orange fur is the skin of the pumpkin.
As a kid, I watched Arthur on PBS regularly. Years later, I revisited the series and found it just as charming as it had always been. Now, I read Marc Brown's Arthur books to my niece. As a librarian and book lover, it's no wonder my favorite scene from the series is Arthur and his friends' performance of "Library Card," a song that appears in the episode "Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival" and proclaims "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card." I couldn't help but illustrate Arthur's library card and sage lyrics on a pumpkin with paint. And, Arthur, I heartily agree.
Abby Hargreaves, "Arthur Celebrates Libraries" - As a kid, I watched Arthur on PBS regularly. Years later, I revisited the series and found it just as charming as it had always been. Now, I read Marc Brown's Arthur books to my niece. As a librarian and book lover, it's no wonder my favorite scene from the series is Arthur and his friends' performance of "Library Card," a song that appears in the episode "Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival" and proclaims "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card." I couldn't help but illustrate Arthur's library card and sage lyrics on a pumpkin with paint. And, Arthur, I heartily agree.

Honorable Mentions...

Best Alternative Gourd:
"Dragons Love Halloween Candy" by Kelley Miller

Best Dressed:
"Minnie Fang" by Ari Taylor

Most Intricate:
"Spotted Owl" by Carolyn Bainer

Hey Judges! Do you love pumpkins? And Halloween? And candy? So do dragons! If you want dragons to trick-or-treat at your house (socially distanced, of course), you’ll need boatloads of candy! Just make sure you bury all the spicy candy in the backyard or donate it to a Tasmanian devil. The one thing dragons can’t stand is spicy Halloween candy because it gives them the yummy troubles. Hey Dragon, how do you feel about Red Hots, Fireballs, and Hot Tamales? Too late...
Kelley Miller, "Dragons Love Halloween Candy" - Hey Judges! Do you love pumpkins? And Halloween? And candy? So do dragons! If you want dragons to trick-or-treat at your house (socially distanced, of course), you’ll need boatloads of candy! Just make sure you bury all the spicy candy in the backyard or donate it to a Tasmanian devil. The one thing dragons can’t stand is spicy Halloween candy because it gives them the yummy troubles. Hey Dragon, how do you feel about Red Hots, Fireballs, and Hot Tamales? Too late...
Carolyn Bainer, "Spotted Owl"
Ari Taylor, "Minnie Fang"

Check out these other pumpkins we loved!

Nicolas Duarte, "The Scary Tree"
Sharing a love of books and storytelling to playing outdoor hide and seek, the Feliciano brothers and Kan kids live across the street from each other and have become the closest of friends this year. We had a blast carving pumpkins together on our driveway - a first time for most of the kids! Pumpkin seeds were saved to roast and snack on and the pumpkins will be composted after Halloween in the bountiful Kan garden. Happy kids carved happy pumpkins!
Jennifer Feliciano, "Happy Pumpkins, Happy Kids!" - Sharing a love of books and storytelling to playing outdoor hide and seek, the Feliciano brothers and Kan kids live across the street from each other and have become the closest of friends this year. We had a blast carving pumpkins together on our driveway - a first time for most of the kids! Pumpkin seeds were saved to roast and snack on and the pumpkins will be composted after Halloween in the bountiful Kan garden. Happy kids carved happy pumpkins!
Wakana & Akane Hatta, "Oh, Nooooo! My Sister!!!!!"
"I love Bad Kitty books because they're funny and she's silly. I've read almost all of them by myself and with my mom and dad. My pet cat, Bartleby, looks just like Bad Kitty."
Amelia Hamilton, "Bad Kitty" - I love Bad Kitty books because they're funny and she's silly. I've read almost all of them by myself and with my mom and dad. My pet cat, Bartleby, looks just like Bad Kitty.
This year my daughter and I read through the entire Tiffany Aching series within the Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. In the 4th book, I Shall Wear Midnight, a repeated image is a hare running. It has been our favorite series of books to read. She related a lot to Tiffany, a young witch and I related a lot to the older witches in the stories who helped guide Tiffany. I hope that my daughter will always remember those stories and the many many hours we spent reading together. The quote repeated within the story goes - "The Hare runs into the fire. The fire, it takes her, she is not burned. The fire, it loves her, she is not burned"
Janet Hamilton, "The Hare Runs into the Fire" - This year my daughter and I read through the entire Tiffany Aching series within the Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. In the 4th book, I Shall Wear Midnight, a repeated image is a hare running. It has been our favorite series of books to read. She related a lot to Tiffany, a young witch and I related a lot to the older witches in the stories who helped guide Tiffany. I hope that my daughter will always remember those stories and the many many hours we spent reading together. The quote repeated within the story goes - "The Hare runs into the fire. The fire, it takes her, she is not burned. The fire, it loves her, she is not burned"
During COVID quarantine time, I thought it'd be cute to build my own pumpkin house. Went flower picking in Loudon County, and used them to decorate the windowsills of the pumpkin chalet!
Kathryn Hogan, "Pumpkin Chalet" - During COVID quarantine time, I thought it'd be cute to build my own pumpkin house. Went flower picking in Loudon County, and used them to decorate the windowsills of the pumpkin chalet!
Arlene Goyette, "This skull is on fire!"
As someone with the bad habit of constantly touching my face and eyes, the CDC's COVID prevention recommendations (don't touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth) have been very hard to follow! My pumpkin is an homage to how much scarier my bad habits became in 2020.
Amelia Robert, "Don't Touch Your Eyes!" - As someone with the bad habit of constantly touching my face and eyes, the CDC's COVID prevention recommendations (don't touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth) have been very hard to follow! My pumpkin is an homage to how much scarier my bad habits became in 2020.
This pumpkin were carved by 3 beautiful girls who had a blast, every single one has different inspirations. Mariana, 10 years old, was the artist behind the first pumpkin, first one to the left, she was inspired by her favorite emoji face. Maddie, 9 years old, was behind the throw up pumpkin, and she wanted to create something scary and disgusting at the same time and I think she did a wonderful job. Layla, 5 years old, was the artist that required the most help but still she did a wonderful job with the mini hear emoji pumpkin which she choose the design of, helped the grown ups with the cat pumpkin and she also made a beautiful design with marker on the remaining pumpkin, no carving necessary she said is perfect jus the way it is. With love Andy Aupair
Andy Morales & kids, "Dream Work" - This pumpkin were carved by 3 beautiful girls who had a blast, every single one has different inspirations. Mariana, 10 years old, was the artist behind the first pumpkin, first one to the left, she was inspired by her favorite emoji face. Maddie, 9 years old, was behind the throw up pumpkin, and she wanted to create something scary and disgusting at the same time and I think she did a wonderful job. Layla, 5 years old, was the artist that required the most help but still she did a wonderful job with the mini hear emoji pumpkin which she choose the design of, helped the grown ups with the cat pumpkin and she also made a beautiful design with marker on the remaining pumpkin, no carving necessary she said is perfect jus the way it is. With love Andy Aupair
One day, like any other, there was a pumpkin. A farmer was soon coming to harvest it. Of course the pumpkin didn't have feelings, but if it did it would feel proud being from "the finest in the patch," the farmer said. A kid picked up the pumpkin and said in a gruff voice, "This is the one!" Back at the house, the kid was ready to carve.
Alex Kerr, "Stumpkin" - One day, like any other, there was a pumpkin. A farmer was soon coming to harvest it. Of course the pumpkin didn't have feelings, but if it did it would feel proud being from "the finest in the patch," the farmer said. A kid picked up the pumpkin and said in a gruff voice, "This is the one!" Back at the house, the kid was ready to carve.
2020 has been quite a year...while grappling with the pandemic and other terrible occurrences, I've also had a number of successes and happy moments. As a tribute to both the good and the bad of this year, I carved these pumpkins - one happy, one scary!
Hannah Abrams, "Beauty and the Beast" - 2020 has been quite a year...while grappling with the pandemic and other terrible occurrences, I've also had a number of successes and happy moments. As a tribute to both the good and the bad of this year, I carved these pumpkins - one happy, one scary!
Helen Tin, "Haunted House Pumpkin"
Once upon a time, there was a ghost and the ghost met a pumpkin! And the pumpkin turned the ghost into a fox and the fox ran away. The fox turned back into a ghost and then a big dinosaur came and ate the ghost up. And then the dinosaur stomped into the water and sank and turned into a fish. The fish turned into a tiger shark! And the tiger shark never turned back into a dinosaur. The pumpkin with the face turned into a...pumpkin (without a face)! And lived happily ever after. The end.
Ella Hagerty, "Ghost Carve Boo" - Once upon a time, there was a ghost and the ghost met a pumpkin! And the pumpkin turned the ghost into a fox and the fox ran away. The fox turned back into a ghost and then a big dinosaur came and ate the ghost up. And then the dinosaur stomped into the water and sank and turned into a fish. The fish turned into a tiger shark! And the tiger shark never turned back into a dinosaur. The pumpkin with the face turned into a...pumpkin (without a face)! And lived happily ever after. The end.
Tricia Thacker, "Pumpkin Sweet Pumpkin"
Jadon Otobo, "Winking Jack"
I am 8 3/4 years old and I carved this pumpkin all by myself. I choose the name 'give me a treat!' because, she is looking up and smiling so I thought it would fit. I hope you choose mine!
Kira Shah, "Give me a treat!" - I am 8 3/4 years old and I carved this pumpkin all by myself. I choose the name 'give me a treat!' because, she is looking up and smiling so I thought it would fit. I hope you choose mine!
My pumpkin dreams of going to space. Her gaze is directed towards what is up above, the stars, planets and the moon.
Jaya Shah, Jack o' Astronaut" - My pumpkin dreams of going to space. Her gaze is directed towards what is up above, the stars, planets and the moon.
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Olivia Quinn, "Flower Forest" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Katie McDonald, "I Will Try" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Katerina Broadbent, "COVID Cadette" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Lucy Meder, "Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Pumpkins" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Hadley Bowlin, "Cadette Craving Creativity" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Alexis Quinn, "Pom Pom Beehive" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Delanie Jones, "Masky" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
In memory of my beloved recused cats. I loved and cherished them. They were such a comfort to me. Starbucks my black Halloween cat Charvet my furry white cat Puzzles my brown furry cat Tiffany my black dog
Kathryn Dominguez, "My Cats" - In memory of my beloved recused cats. I loved and cherished them. They were such a comfort to me. Starbucks my black Halloween cat Charvet my furry white cat Puzzles my brown furry cat Tiffany my black dog
COVID 19 has turned the world upside down so ...When life gives you pumpkins, make pumpkin pie. As a proverbial phrase, it’s helped and encouraged optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortunes. Like a pumpkin, you must be well rounded and get plenty of sunshine and the great outdoors. Have thick skin, appreciate and give thanks to life’s bounty, breath, breath and breath!!! Keep growing big as a pumpkin but be gentle to your surroundings. God bless the little ones in our lives who help us during these challenging times ❤
Amy Frazier, "When Life gives you pumpkins..." - COVID 19 has turned the world upside down so ...When life gives you pumpkins, make pumpkin pie. As a proverbial phrase, it’s helped and encouraged optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortunes. Like a pumpkin, you must be well rounded and get plenty of sunshine and the great outdoors. Have thick skin, appreciate and give thanks to life’s bounty, breath, breath and breath!!! Keep growing big as a pumpkin but be gentle to your surroundings. God bless the little ones in our lives who help us during these challenging times ❤
Loren Keymer, "Bloody Vampire"
I created this pumpkin by using masking tape to make the shapes.
Malina Abraham Essam, "Mr. Pumpkin" - I created this pumpkin by using masking tape to make the shapes.
Mila Noelle, "They Are Back"
Olive Goyette, "Howloween"
Sanjay Ramiah, "Pumpkin Scarry- like Richard Scarry"
I carved different sea creatures all around the pumpkin and then painted an ocean scene on it.
Sophia Ghosh, "Ocean Commotion" - I carved different sea creatures all around the pumpkin and then painted an ocean scene on it.
General Grevious was one of the most feared and terrible Jedi Hunters of the Clone Wars, he is the perfect character to carve on a pumpkin!
Siddharth Ghosh, "The Wrath of General Grevious" - General Grevious was one of the most feared and terrible Jedi Hunters of the Clone Wars, he is the perfect character to carve on a pumpkin!
My son absolutely adores Star Wars and wanted to decorate our pumpkin really unique this year, because no “ordinary” pumpkin will do in 2020!!
Sydney Kaiser, "Space Pumpkin" - My son absolutely adores Star Wars and wanted to decorate our pumpkin really unique this year, because no “ordinary” pumpkin will do in 2020!!
Gabriella Zakrocki, "The Witch Flies at Midnight!"

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