Hello fall! We are officially one week into the best season. My favorite things about fall are football, candles, cozy vibes and pumpkins. If you are a fall fanatic and love pumpkins like me, you might want to check out this upcoming Pittsburgh event.
Last year, the Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival set the world record for the largest carved pumpkin ever, named “Jumbo Jack.” The third annual festival will feel a little different, but there will still be a lot of giant pumpkins, chances to donate and a 150 foot long pumpkin sculpture of the “Monongahela Monster.”
The popup will take place in the Heinz Field Gold parking lot 1A. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and to ensure the safety of everyone, the event will be a driveby this year. Drive by early in the morning or late at night to see the pumpkins light up Pittsburgh.
Well-known carvers: Dean Murray, Danny Kissel, Greg Butauski and Patrick O’Brien will take on the task of carving the Monongahela Monster sculpture. The Graffiti Guys: Max Gonzales, Shane Pilster and Scott Brozovich will spray paint a wall of pumpkins to complement the sculpture.
If seeing a giant pumpkin does not excite you enough, there are two ways to get involved and donate. First, register to do LECOM’s Virtual Costume Caper 5K. Registering helps support medical student scholarship awards and you may earn a prize for having the best costume. The virtual 5K takes place between Oct. 5-Nov. 5, runners get to pick the place and time they run. Share your photos and videos by using the hashtag #PumpkinRun.
Second, Project Bundle-Up Pumpkin Splash. During this event, a giant pumpkin will be dropped 100 feet into an inflatable pool filled with water and ping pong balls. When you make a donation, you will have one ping pong ball put into the pool. The ping pong ball that flies the farthest from the pool will get a prize. Donations will go towards providing winter clothing to underprivileged children and senior citizens in Western Pennsylvania.
So, plan to fill up your gas tank, grab a mask and go see some humongous pumpkins!