Families looking for a hands-on Halloween outing can read the official event announcement before they go. Families looking for a hands-on Halloween outing can head to Smith’s Nursery in Benson on Friday, October 30, for an evening of pumpkin carving at the farm.

The Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smith’s Farm Market, 443 Sanders Road, Benson.

Admission is $10 per person and includes a pumpkin, carving tools, and a choice of one small ice cream, cider, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Instead of bringing a pumpkin from home, guests can pick one at the farm and start creating.

Choose a pumpkin and make it your own

Organizers say visitors can choose whatever size pumpkin they want and use the supplied carving kit to create a design.

Some families may go for a traditional jack-o’-lantern face, while others might try a funny expression, a friendly character, or a more elaborate Halloween scene.

The event welcomes all ages, making it an option for parents, grandparents, and children to work on a pumpkin together.

Adults should supervise children using carving tools and follow any safety directions provided at the farm.

There is no single right way to decorate a pumpkin; the fun is in seeing what everyone dreams up.

More than a carving contest

Smith’s Nursery plans to stay open after its usual hours for a relaxed evening with spooky music and seasonal treats.

A bonfire is planned if the weather cooperates, and the ice cream shop will be open.

Hot apple cider and hot chocolate are among the drinks visitors can enjoy.

Guests are welcome to bring snacks, drinks, blankets, and chairs to make the evening more comfortable.

That makes the gathering as much about spending time together as it is about producing a prize-winning pumpkin.

Families should dress for an October evening outdoors and check the forecast before heading to the farm.

The judging happens on Halloween

One unusual feature of this contest is that the pumpkins will not be judged on Friday night.

Instead, the finished creations will be displayed at the farm for Halloween on Saturday, October 31.

Customers visiting that day can vote for their favorite carved pumpkin.

The pumpkin receiving the most votes will win the contest.

Participants can return on Saturday with family and friends to see the display and help select the winning design.

That gives the celebration a second chapter, with the community choosing its favorite creation.

What the winner receives

The prize is a set of five tickets to Smith’s Nursery’s Moonlit Hayride and S’mores event scheduled for November 7.

Those tickets give the winner another reason to return to the farm after Halloween.

Organizers also say participants who would rather leave their pumpkins behind may do so.

The farm would welcome those pumpkins as decorations for the upcoming Moonlit Hayride event.

Visitors who want to keep their creations should plan how to transport a freshly carved pumpkin safely.

Planning your visit

The contest takes place Friday, October 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smith’s Farm Market, 443 Sanders Road in Benson.

The $10 fee covers the pumpkin and carving kit, plus one small ice cream or small cider, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Families can consult the Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest event details for the full description and any updates.

Those ready to participate can use the contest registration page to review the $10 listing and purchase information.

Drivers unfamiliar with the farm can check the Smith’s Nursery map before leaving home.

Because the event is outdoors and includes a weather-dependent bonfire, it is worth checking for last-minute changes.

For families who enjoy fall traditions, this is a chance to make something together, enjoy the farm after hours, and come back on Halloween to see which pumpkin wins.