Hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns will light up the Old Morrison steps beginning Oct. 30 for Transylvania’s PumpkinMania and the community stepped up to help get the display ready.
On Sunday, more than 300 pumpkins were delivered to Transylvania’s back circle, near Thomson Residence Hall, for carving. The truckload of large orange pumpkins grown by Overman’s Bluegrass Fruits and Vegetables in Central Kentucky were delivered shortly after 8 a.m.
Students from campus organizations and sports teams were the first to help unload and prep the pumpkins for carving. With scrapers and power tools in hand, they gutted the fall fruit, removing the seeds and guts and getting them ready for carvers.
Once prepped, students, staff, faculty and community members took over and began carving designs — both simple and intricate — into the pumpkins. The carved pumpkins were moved across campus to the front steps of historic Old Morrison.
On Tuesday, the community is again invited to join Transylvania and PumpkinMania sponsors Blue Grass Community Foundation and Tetra Tech, for a fall celebration. The fun kicks off with music and food trucks a little after 5 p.m. Trick-or-treating begins at 6 p.m.
The highlight of the night takes place at 7 p.m. when nearly 500 pumpkins are lit up at once. They’ll stay in place and will light up each night until Friday, Nov. 2.
And in case you were wondering what happens to all those pumpkin guts, they’ve already been added to the compost pile at Lexington’s London Ferrill Community Garden, which is managed by Transylvania.
Check out photos from Sunday’s carving session below and see local news coverage on WKYT by clicking here.
