IN THE
Burgh
Fall Fun of Monster Pumpkin Proportion
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BY NICOLE TAFE
Looking for some fall fun that’ s larger than life? Then mark your calendar for the Monster Pumpkins Festival, returning to Pittsburgh’ s Strip District Oct. 18-19. This free, family-friendly celebration turns the city’ s 3 Crossings Campus into a pumpkin head’ s dream, filled with circus-themed spectacles, colossal squash and some seriously fun fall traditions. The stars of the show? Atlantic Giant pumpkins— the most prodigious breed of pumpkins on the planet— with record weights well over 2,500 pounds! These pumpkins aren’ t just for show, either. Some are hoisted by cranes and dramatically dropped from great heights in jaw-dropping slow-motion splashes. It’ s all part of the thrill of the pumpkinpowered festival.
But the fun doesn’ t stop with skydiving squash. The Monster Pumpkins Festival is also a showcase of incredible artistry. Master carvers— including Dean Murray, Chris Foltz, Danny Kissel and Ryan Andersen— will transform these giants into whimsical, circus-inspired sculptures, bringing faces, scenes and stories to life in real time. Pittsburgh street artists Max“ GEMS” Gonzalez, Shane Pilster and Scott Brozovich also plan to join in the creativity to paint giant hay bale murals that will surely add to the festival’ s autumn aesthetic.
Beyond the pumpkin carving and crashing, attendees can find plenty more to enjoy. Start your Saturday with the LECOM Costume Caper 5K— a festive run / walk with prizes for costumes and speed. Then take your turn in the Point Park Pumpkin Pull, where competitors will try to pull a 1,500-pound pumpkin cart in the fastest time. Or try the Squash Sling, where participants can launch pie pumpkins through the air in a twist on the classic carnival game.
There’ s also the Pumpkin Pig-Out and pie eating contests for food lovers who want to compete for glory— and maybe some indigestion! Vendors at the Fall Festival Fantasia will serve up seasonal treats like ravioli, funnel cake and gelato, and the artisan market will offer crafts and goods to help you take a piece of the season home.
The festival will also offer face painting, pedal tractor pulls, photo ops and even horse-drawn carriage rides courtesy of Misty Lane Farms— perfect for anyone who dreams of riding in Cinderella-style wagons. And don’ t miss the live glassblowing demonstrations by Vessel Studio Glass, where artists will turn molten glass into delicate works of pumpkin-shaped art.
Best of all? It’ s free! With the exception of food, crafts and carriage rides, the Monster Pumpkins Festival is open to all and offers a rare blend of quirky charm, creative flair and good old-fashioned fun that’ s hard to beat in the fall.
For event details, schedule and updates, visit monsterpumpkins. com. n
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