Your Guide To Carving After A Pumpkin Patch Visit In East Haven

EAST HAVEN, CT —Carving pumpkins has long been one of the most popular fall traditions in east Haven and everywhere in America. Varying styles have been used, and jack-o'-lantern designs have seemingly become more creative every year.

A number of approaches to the post-pumpkin patch visit activity in East Haven are shown on YouTube, including one from Warren Nash that shows a step-by-step process to make the perfect carve.

Here's a guide to your pumpkin carving project in 2020.

Materials

Pumpkin carving kits will go a long way in getting what you need. They typically include saws, a scooper, a drill and multiple patterns.

If you're looking for the items individually around the house, here's what you could use:

• Pumpkin. Unless you have a pumpkin growing operation in the backyard, you'll need to pick out one you like from your local pumpkin patch or a store. Make sure it looks sturdy and clean. Remember, this is the pumpkin that will be front and center on the porch for the Halloween season.
• Curved boning knife, or serrated knife from the kitchen.
• Ice cream scooper or scraper
• Paper
• Pencil or pen
• Candle or battery-operated light
• Lighter

Steps

1. Cut it: If cutting from the top of the pumpkin, make sure to do it on an inward angle so the top won't drop inside the pumpkin when you put it back on. Michael Natiello, creative director for The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze, said it's better to cut the pumpkin from the bottom, in a series of pumpkin carving tips from Good Housekeeping. That helps prevent the sides from caving in later.
2. Gut it: Use the ice cream scoop, or your hands, to remove all the seeds and other debris from inside the pumpkin. Do a thorough cleaning and make sure nothing is left sticking to the sides.
3. Trace it: Draw your design on a piece of paper before putting it on the pumpkin itself. That way, it is easier to trace the design onto the pumpkin.
4. Make the cuts: Cut out the design. Natiello said to use a fork or pencil to poke holes around the lines. When cutting, get the big pieces of pumpkin out first and clean up the edges later.
5. Light it: Light the pumpkin with a battery-operated light or candle in a holder, place it in the pumpkin then admire your work.

Here is a list of some of our favorite pumpkin patches in and near East Haven.

• Shore Line Trolley Museum Pumpkin Patch in East Haven. "We're happy to welcome you back!" This year, The Shore Line Trolley Museum will be following Covid-19 protocols. We'll be offering rides every hour to the Pumpkin Patch. Kids can still pick their own sugar pumpkin at our outdoor patch. Take a self-guided tour of our decorated trolley barns. Each child receives a take-away puzzle book. The Patch is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 3 through Nov. 1. Limit 25 per hour, tickets are available online. Your admission includes a trolley ride, grounds visit, one pumpkin and puzzle book for each child. Please read our Covid-19 protocols below. Groups of 10 or more can request their own special weekday visit! Please contact the museum at reservations@shorelinetrolley.org or call 203-467-6927 for special times and rates. 17 River St, East Haven, CT 06512. Phone: 203-467-6927. Email: office@shorelinetrolley.com.
• Rose Orchards in North Branford. The pumpkin patch is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. though the end of October. The farm has pick-your-own apples, the pumpkin patch, straw or hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, and farm animals. 33 Route 139, 33 Branford Rd North Branford, CT 06471. Phone: 203-488-7996.
• Bishop's Orchard - The Little Red Barn and Pumpkin Patch in Guilford is open now through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free. Fall Family Fun is here at the Bishop's Orchards Little Red Barn, so come to our Pumpkin Patch. Inside the Little Red Barn you will find fall seasonal decorations as well as perishable items. Due to COVID-19, our Fall into Fun Kid's Activities are limited to just the Apple Train. Cost is $2/person (tax included) and the train runs on weekends and holidays only. 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford. 203-453-3328.