The Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s Amazing Pumpkin Carve will return Oct. 8-11 for its 12th year, moving to a new location at Needle Creek Farm Brewery in Pennington.
The four-day fall event will feature 30 giant pumpkins weighing more than 250 pounds each and carved by local artists, along with live entertainment, food trucks, farm animals, children’s activities and craft beer.
“The Carve always brings our community together in such a wonderful way, and we’re thrilled to be back for our twelfth year,” said Carol Lipson, executive director of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council. “From the over-the-top pumpkins to the simple pleasures of the season, the Carve celebrates local creativity, quality time with friends and family, and all that makes fall special.”
The event is moving from its longtime home at Woolsey Park this year because of construction of a new pavilion at the park. Its temporary home will be Needle Creek Farm Brewery, 91 Titus Mill Road, which will be open exclusively to Pumpkin Carve guests during event hours.
“We’re so excited to host the Carve at Needle Creek,” said Gregg Marantz, one of Needle Creek’s owners and operators. “Just 10 minutes away from the usual location, Needle Creek is a beautiful countryside setting with plenty of indoor and outdoor family attractions — the perfect place to showcase these amazing pumpkins.”
In addition to the carved pumpkins, visitors can explore the 75-acre working farm, home to cows, goats, pigs and miniature donkeys. Needle Creek offers craft beer made and served in a historic wood-frame barn. Farm-grown flowers and pumpkins will be available for sale, and the farm’s general store offers snacks, candy, ice cream and nonalcoholic drinks.
A children’s climbing zone and jumbo sandbox will also be available. Face painting and a spooky corn maze will be offered as optional add-ons.
Food trucks and live entertainment are planned each day.
“The Carve is a place where the whole family can enjoy the fall season together,” Lipson said. “Join us this October 8th-11th to make some memories and enjoy this one-of-a-kind Hopewell tradition.”
Event hours
The Amazing Pumpkin Carve will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8; 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11.
Tickets will be available online and at the gate. Information about tickets, food vendors, entertainment, sponsors and participating pumpkin carvers is available on the Hopewell Valley Arts Council website.
The event is supported by sponsors including Capital Health, Princeton Financial Partners/RBC, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Hopewell Crossing Shopping Center, Trap Rock Industries, Delis Landscaping, Seward Johnson Atelier and NJM Insurance Group. Proceeds help support the Arts Council’s programming throughout the year.
Also coming up: Hopewell Tour Des Arts
Before the Amazing Pumpkin Carve, the Hopewell Valley Arts Council will host the 19th Annual Hopewell Tour Des Arts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27.
The free weekend event will feature artists opening their studios and displaying work at venues throughout the Hopewell area, along with live music.
Hopewell Valley Stage, 5 S. Greenwood Ave., will serve as this year’s Welcome Center, where visitors can pick up maps and information and see the “One Piece Show,” featuring one work from each participating artist.
More information about participating artists, venues and the tour is available on the Arts Council website.
