World Pumpkin Carving Championship

Christopher Turnbull with his 'Bone Dragon' (Pumpkin Number 1)! Chris pulled out a narrow victory over entry number 6 which was a rookie entry from Lynn (Bowerman) and Steve. Great Job Guys! Third Place was a tie between Bjorn (number 11) and Zam (number 14). Bjorn representing one of the Danish entries and Zam, also a first time carver in the WPCC! I would like to thank my Mom for voting for Leanne's pumpkin. Again. I will add the names to the posts of each of the pumpkins so you can see who's was who's. Leanne and I would like to thank everyone, contestants and judges, for participating this year and let's hope we can make next year even bigger and better!! Theme suggestions are welcomed for next year, as is gentle prodding that we should send the emails out sooner. Until Next Year! Sarah Willie, WPCC Canadian Leanne Ashworth, WPCC International

Thank you once again for being selected as a judge even after my rude and insensitive comments last year. The contest really adds to the fun of Halloween and I enjoy it so. Pumpkin #14 Nice work. It just screams "Halloween in flight". The bike was an interesting modern twist replacing the traditional horse. I'd prefer a horse but you still get the one spot from me. Pumpkin #1 I had you as first place until I saw #14. I Liked it but ultimately, dragons just don't represent Halloween to me as much as headless MTBers. Pumpkin #11 This was a hard choice between it and #12. Again it came down to the fact that a witch will beat a raven every time in Halloween hold 'em. Honorable Mentions: Pumpkin #7 I couldn't vote for this because it has nothing to do with Halloween in flight (except that birds can fly [are you listening #2]), but It was the only pumpkin that made me laugh out loud when I saw it. Let's hope that's what you were going for. Pumpkin #6 (AKA Ba...

For those anxiously awaiting this years results we are just hounding the last judge for her votes! The race this year is too close to call without this final vote, so we'll just have to wait and see! Keep checking in, we hope to make the announcement soon! Sarah and Leanne (the birthday girl)

Here at last! I feel like it's kind of unfair because I get to see them all before you do, and enjoy them, and pick who I think will win, and get all excited before you even see them. Sorry about that, but there are some perks to being one of the Coordinators and it's not money. This year looks to be the strongest pool of participants yet! Leanne held a Canada Day/Halloween Party in Denmark and this encouraged a number of new participants from across the pond to join in. We have multiple entries from Denmark and any perceived disadvantage from growing up in a country without Halloween was quickly swept under the rug by me. I think this is actually an advantage as it allows them to think outside the box when a carving utensil and pumpkin is put in front of them. Some excellent first time entries. There are 15 official entries to choose from so please make sure to view them all. I put them each as separate posts as it made it easier for me, hopefully it doesn't make it too...

Well unfortunately this participant didn't read the rules, and well we're kinda sticky about the rules. So due to the use of carrots as wings we are unable to officially enter them in the competition, but I'm sure the judges will have a few things to say?! It's a great pumpkin though!!

So as promised (over a year ago) here are some of the judges comments from last year. I've scoured my inbox to find them all but the keyword search was shooting me down, so I apologise to the other judges who I have not published. To see the referenced pumpkins scroll down to one of the older posts of 2009! To be fair I have not identified the judges, in case said comments are found offensive and action is taken. We at the WPCC need to reduce our liabilities when ever possible. First Place: Pumpkin #6 I just like it. You know? It just says CAT to me. Walking away after biting me because, after the 20 minutes I just spent petting it, he just felt like I needed a few holes in my hand. Damn cats! The only thing that would have put this over the top would be a nice star shaped sphincter carved under the tail to make the experience complete, but who am I to say. Second Place: Pumpkin #8 "Halloween and dismemberment go together like peas & carrots", my mama used to say. Tha...

I will admit I have been slacking on my responsibilities as Co-Chair of the WPCC. In fact if you could vote me off, you probably would. But you can't. I have a blog, and somehow that seems to make me feel like I have power no one can take away. Just try people, just try to rip the small carving knife out of my orange slimy hand! So again, a little tardy on the start time. Next year I'll be better I promise.... So what you've all been waiting for is the theme for this year... drum-roll please...... "HALLOWEEN IN FLIGHT" Emphasis on Halloween, please no airplanes, think Halloween, then think things that fly, there are many. Although you did an excellent job last year on keeping it super diverse despite the very specific theme we thought we would open the door to originality just a little bit, so don't screw it up folks, or we'll have to stick to two syllable words;) I expect the competition to be tight again and I look forward to all of your entries. As Hal...