Support Us Button Widget

Try this: LEXtoday’s 2023 pumpkin carving contest

Put your pumpkin carving skills to the test in our contest

Tons of jack-o-lanterns all lit up

Jack-o'-lanterns are sorta our thing here in Lexington. | Photo courtesy of @tsglexington + @transylvaniauniversity

Table of Contents

Carve some time into your schedule. We’ve got a festive contest for you to take part in this spooky season — the LEXtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Whether you planned to carve a pumpkin this season or not, this is your excuse to run to the nearest pumpkin patch or garden store, pick out your perfect pumpkin, and get creative. Don’t forget the carving kit.

The rules + details:

Create your own pumpkin masterpiece; carve, paint, shave, use stickers, or get creative in a way that is fun for you.

To make a submission, take a picture of your pumpkin + submit it here, along with a name for your art, a short description, your name, and your email address. Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.

While traditional pumpkin carvings and designs will be accepted, bonus points will be awarded to original and locally-themed designs. (Think: local landmarks, businesses, and icons.) Any submissions with offensive language or artwork will not be accepted.

Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter on Friday, Oct. 20. These finalists will go head-to-head for the chance to be crowned best jack-o’-lantern of 2023 — you, our readers, will be the ones to vote — and the winner will be announced on Friday, Oct. 27.

Want some pumpkin art inspo before you get started? Here are a few no carve ideas as well as some pumpkin carving pro tips.

Update: We’ve extended the deadline for the contest. Enter your gourd-geous design by Wednesday, Oct. 25. Submit here.

More from LEXtoday
It’s your party and you can get free things if you want to.
From where to eat + drink to their humble beginnings, we’re sharing all there is to know about Lexington’s Kenwick, Mentelle Park, and Warehouse Block neighborhoods.
This story is part of our September series on Lexington’s local bourbon distillers and their stories.
Jonas Brothers? Check. Eric Church? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up seven farmers markets around Lexington.
Learn about the biggest industries and employers in the Lexington metro area with this guide to local business.
Take the work out of the tailgate so you can focus on rooting on the Wildcats with these catering options.
We asked for you to show some love to LEX’s small biz scene, and you sent us the goods.
Reach your local community with our help.