Anyone seeking a frightful time can stroll through the haunted TelFair Peet Theatre and then on to view more than 400 lighted pumpkins carved by AU students. The 10th annual Pumpkin Carve is Friday, Oct. 30, in the Dudley Hall courtyard. The American Institute of Architecture Students sponsors the competition that is open to students in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. Last year over 5,000 people came out to see the pumpkins, and it was even raining that night. The event started 10 years ago when a professor who had small children wanted to see what the design students could do with pumpkins.
Kids come by that night to see the lighted pumpkins, and their eyes just light up.
This year we are also having a community competition at the same time, but separate from the AISA students. Smith says nearly 400 students will participate in the carve which will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The AISA has ordered the pumpkins for the contestants to buy. Most people use just a basic Exacto knife, but wood carving tools work really well on pumpkins too. Those who don't feel so creative can view the lighted pumpkins from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the night of the carve.