Greenwich Pumpkin Decorating Contest Promises Safe Halloween Fun

GREENWICH, CT — While families in Greenwich may be celebrating Halloween a little differently this year due to the coronavirus, the town's parks and recreation department will host a virtual pumpkin decorating competition designed to bring some seasonal fun right to residents' homes.

Held in coordination with the Greenwich Arts Council, families are invited to pick out their perfect pumpkin and creatively dress it up for the season. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

After decorating, participants can submit photos of their pumpkins to Recreation Supervisor Patricia Troiano for a chance to win a prize from the competition's sponsor, Valley Pediatrics.

According to Troiano, the department decided to hold the town-wide competition in lieu of its annual Halloween Happenings party this year.

"We wanted to come up with a town-wide event to celebrate the season that is also a safe option right now, due to the [coronavirus] pandemic," Troiano said in an email.

The department has previously held a winter snow sculpture contest that asks participants to submit photos virtually, Troiano said.

"We thought that this would be a great option for the fall season and encourage Greenwich youth to get creative with pumpkins," Troiano said. "Many people will be outdoors this season pumpkin and apple picking. We feel that many children will enjoy decorating their pumpkins for the chance to win a prize!"

Pumpkins submitted for the competition may not be carved or hollowed out; objects, paper and materials of any kind may be pinned or glued to pumpkins.

Participants may also draw or paint on their entries or dress them up, however no electrical devices may be used as part of any entry.

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The contest is only open to Greenwich residents, and only one entry is allowed per household. The deadline to submit photos to Troiano, via email at ptroiano@greenwichct.org, is Nov. 6.

Entries must be submitted with the title and picture(s) of the pumpkin(s), the full name(s) of the decorator(s) and their home address. Each photo entry must have a title.

Parents and guardians are asked to provide "minimal help" decorating the pumpkins. No pre-purchased or pre-decorated pumpkins will be allowed to enter the contest.