(Prefatory note: This blog was written in 2010. Sadly, when I visited Longwood last week in hopes of finding groovy carved pumpkins there were none to be found. Maybe because it was such a bad year for pumpkins in the region. It was so wet, mine literally rotted on the vine. Local farmers had similar troubles. Maybe next year?)

Professional pumpkin carving and carving contests are a hot item inthe Brandywine River Valley. The influence of events like the Chadds Ford Great Pumpkin Carve (www.chaddsfordhistory.org/events/pcarve/...) have certainly influenced local interest in fantastically carved pumpkins. Longwood Gardens (www.longwoodgardens.org/)has also boosted its pumpkin displays over the years to include lots ofwonderfully carved giants. Last year's display was certainly one of thebest and this year's should prove to be even better! Here are just a few of their pumpkins from the 2009 season:

A cheerful monarch butterfly decorates the face of this huge 'Atlantic Giant.'

Easter and Halloween merge with this interesting bunny pumpkin.

All the carved pumpkins are decorated with a cool display of diverse gourds and squash.

Not your typical Jack-o-lantern.

VW pumpkin

Some of the squash on display were amazingly huge! My 6' 4" brother is standing for scale.

This frog themed carving is certainly unusual. It'll be interestingto see how long these sculptural carvings last. As long as the weatherstays cool.

These shots offer a small taste of the pumpkins creations you'll find on display at Longwood Gardens this year. Check them out if you can!

Note: This year Longwood will also have fantastic displays of glass-blown pumpkins and squash created at Cohn-Stone Studios! These lovely works of art will also be available for purchase.