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Pumpkins, and Carving, and Scarecrows- Oh My!

9/1/14 - By Katie McKnight

Because I have never been a big Halloween fan, our house has minimal Halloween decorations.  By minimal, I mean that we currently have 3 small, uncarved pumpkins adorning our front porch.  But this year, my kids have brought on the Halloween pressure.  In fact, they’ve started a “best decorated Halloween house” contest with the kids in the neighborhood.  We are losing.  By a lot.

So clearly I need to step up our décor game with the basics: scarecrows and jack-o-lanters!  Fairfield County offers plenty of design inspiration for those who are not skilled in the pumpkin and scarecrow arts. So roll up those sleeves, its time to get covered in pumpkin slime and scarecrow innards! 

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Pumpkin Decorating

Pumpkin Decorating at the Darien Nature Center - Darien
October 25-26 
You can decorate your pumpkin with natural materials and let your creative juices soar! You can choose to make your creation a part of the display at the annual Hoot and Howl and receive free admission to taht event.  Make sure to register on their website.

Pumpkin Painting -Greenwich
Saturdays October 7, 14, 21, 28 and Monday October 9
Sam Bridge really knows how to do "Fall in New England". For $12 per pumpkin, stop by this Greenwich garden center to paint your own pumpkin bewteen 10am-2pm. All ages are welcome, and this event is rain or shine! 

Pumpkin Palooza - Greeniwch & Rowayton 
 

Of course, for true pumpkin carving inspiration, I encourage everyone to visit the Great Jack o Lantern Blaze in Croton, NY for an amazing display of lights and and more than 5,000 carved pumpkins.  Happy Halloween!

Scarecrow Building 


Sam Bridge Annual Build-A-Scarecrow Workshop - Greenwich 
Saturdays October 7, 14, 21, 28 and Monday October 9
BYOC (that''s Bring Your Own Clothes) For $45, let Sam Bridge supply the head, frame, face pieces, and hay to stuff - and most importantly - a place to make the mess! All you have to bring is the clothes to dress him (or her) in. This long-running annual event is reccomended for ages 6 and up. It's the perfect activity for a group or family. 

Greenwich Historical Society Fall Festival -Greenwich
Sunday, October 8
The ever-popular Scarecrow Competition is taking a little walk down Sesame Street this year. The theme of this year’s scarecrow competition will be “friendly monsters” in the honor of Sesame Street characters Grover and Oscar the Grouch, who appear in the current GHS exhibition. Basic scarecrow building materials (straw, burlap bag and armature/“bones”) are included in the fee, but participants are welcome to bring “accessories” to customize their creations. 

Scarecrow Making at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center - Stamford 
Sunday, October 8
This family friendly event is heading into its 7th year! Families will create a life-size scarecrow that will be entered into the Harvest Festival Scarecrow Contest. Some materials are provided, but families are encouraged to bring their own clothes and acessories to add a personal touch. 

Photo by  Rain0975 /CC By 2.0

 

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