Community Pumpkin Carving Contest

Carve it at home, bring it finished, and do not sign it.

The Bethel CT Chamber of Commerce is running its first Community Pumpkin Carving Contest on Halloween afternoon at the Municipal Center, the same afternoon as Trick or Treat Street. Entries are judged by an assigned number rather than by name, so the only thing in front of the judges is the pumpkin.

The rules, and they are specific. Pumpkins have to arrive completely carved, cleaned and decorated, because there is no carving on site. Real pumpkins or gourds only, nothing plastic, foam or artificial. One entry per person or family team, so there is table space for everyone. And do not write your name or initials anywhere visible on it.

No open flames. No real candles and no matches. Bring your own battery powered LED tea lights or glow sticks if you want yours lit.

Size. It has to stand on its own and fit comfortably on a standard display table. The chamber recommends keeping it under two feet wide.

Timings. Check in at the registration table between 1:00 and 2:00pm on Saturday 31 October. Late entries cannot be accepted for judging. Winners are announced at 3:00pm, and pumpkins should be collected straight afterward. Anything left behind at the close of the event is thrown away rather than left to rot.

Prizes go to first, second and third place.

Where to go. Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School St, Bethel.