(Seguin) — The pumpkin carving talents of locals will again help light up the fields and night sky over at the Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center. The SOLC is seeking carving skills of all levels during this year’s Second Annual Pumpkins on Pikes Pecan Fest event. The event will be held Saturday from 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Last year, the pumpkin lighting festival welcomed 160 pumpkins. The sea of creatively carved pumpkins stood high above the ground on pikes and platforms planted throughout the SOLC field.
Milisia Bielstein, director of operation and development for the SOLC, says families are invited to pick their pumpkins at the SOLC for a $20 donation. She says the contest is open to both kids and adults.
“We are offering advanced purchase for the pumpkins. We also offer if anybody would like to sponsor local youth so that they can be involved in this event that it is also available. You can purchase your pumpkin up till 6 p.m. on the day of the event. Then everyone will start looking for their platform with their pikes and then place their pumpkin and they will start with the pumpkin carving contest,” said Bielstein.
Bielstein says pumpkins must be carved on site. She says they’ll each then be illuminated at sunset.
“The gate will open at 4:30 p.m. and that will give participants and children and adults the opportunity to come in, park, get set up and then we’ll start the activities. The pumpkin carving timeframe is 5 to 6:45 p.m. so for the parents, that are into and like to be creative with their pumpkin carving skills, we’ll also have an area that will be set up for kid activities and there will be at least four activities. We’ll have a couple of things for the adults as well,” said Bielstein.
Some new activities have been added to this year’s event. They include a kid friendly spooky trail, live music by Buddy Vargas, face painting, ring toss, horseshoes, a campfire, S’mores, plus the sale of food and drinks. The SOLC has also increased the number of prizes for families, individuals and businesses who come out to participate in the contest.
Those wishing to reserve their pumpkin are asked to call 830-379-7652. Pumpkins will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
There is no cost for activities or to enter the grounds. Pumpkins on Pikes Pecan Fest, again, will be held from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the SOLC. The SOLC is located at 1865 E. U.S. Highway 90, Seguin.