The creative director of The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze offers tips on picking, carving, and making your pumpkins last.
Each fall, more than 130,000 people flock to Sleepy Hollow Country to see The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, where over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins light up the night through October and November.
We caught up with the mammoth event’s creative director, New Jersey native Michael Natiello, for some expert advice about creating fantastic carvings at home. Here are the pumpkin carving master’s best tips:
1. Pick the right pumpkin
When choosing your pumpkin, look for one that has no bruises, is evenly colored, and isn’t moldy or rotten. Check the bottom for rot and tap gently to hear a firm, hollow sound. The lighter the pumpkin’s skin, the softer the pumpkin will be, making it easier to carve. However, be aware that lighter-skinned pumpkins may not last as long post-carving. Choose a pumpkin with a smooth, flat face, with few shallow ridges. And, please, never carry your pumpkin by the stem.
2. Prepping your pumpkin
Pick a pumpkin that best suits your intended pattern or design, or pick a design that suits your pumpkin! Start by washing and drying the pumpkin, and then cut a hole in the bottom to scoop out the guts. Scrape the inside flesh clean and smooth until it’s approximately one-inch thick. Transfer your pattern onto the chosen side or draw your pattern directly onto the pumpkin.
3. Carving your pumpkin using the cut-out method
This is the traditional method of carving a pumpkin, where shapes are cut from the flesh, allowing light to shine through. Holding your cutting tool perpendicular to the surface, start cutting with gentle sawing motions in the middle and work your way out. To keep your pumpkin structurally sound, leave the large areas to cut out for last, and cut them into smaller pieces for easier removal. If you’re working on corners or if you’re changing directions, remove the carving tool then reinsert it in the new direction. If there are any pieces that are difficult to remove, try to push them out towards you from the inside instead of poking them. To fine-tune your design, put a candle in the pumpkin, turn out the lights and make the final adjustments.
4. Displaying your creation
Once the carving is complete, wash it under cold water and cut a vent or chimney in the back top of the pumpkin.
To prevent shriveling or dehydration, coat all cut areas with petroleum jelly or commercially available pumpkin preservatives and keep the pumpkin wrapped in plastic in a cool location when not in use.
Don’t worry if something goes wrong. We also have the scoop on how to fix your most common pumpkin problems!
1. Fixing broken pieces
To fix broken areas, or to repair areas accidentally cut off during the carving process, use toothpicks, pins, or staples to reaffix. If needed, patch a broken area with a scrap of pumpkin flesh.
2. Rehydrating a shriveled pumpkin
Soak your pumpkin in a tub of water overnight. Dry it before putting back on display.
3. Preventing mold growth
Soak your pumpkin in a solution of water with 10% bleach. Dry it before putting back on display.
4. Deterring animals
To deter animals from eating pumpkins, spray the pumpkins with commercially available hinders, garlic spray, or hot pepper, or sprinkle the area with human hair.
Want to see more of Michael’s incredible work? Get tickets today for The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., approximately 30 minutes away from northern New Jersey.
