Your Guide To Carving After A Pumpkin Patch Visit Near Nyack

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

You may not be as creative as the artists at Historic Hudson Valley's annual Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, which features more than 7,000 hand carved pumpkins in impressive displays from the Statue of Liberty to the Legend of Sleepy Hollow bridge. — in fact, the event is totally sold out so you can't even go to get ideas — but don't worry, we've got tips for you.

A number of approaches to the post-pumpkin-patch visit activity near Nyack 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.

Do make a call to Wilklow Orchards about pumpkins.

• 341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland
• 845 691-2339
• The family who runs Wilklow Orchards has been farming the spot for six generations. They try to be sustainable and ecologically minded because they want the farm to last for another six generations. When you visit the site, you can also shop at their bakery, and don't miss the Farm Bar and food truck. Within their Orchard they have a patch of small pumpkins that are about 2-5 lbs. These pumpkins are $2.00 each and are the perfect size for painting or for children to carve! They are easy to carry and fun for school groups or young children to pick themselves.
• We also sell all sizes of pumpkins at our roadstand that are pre picked for you! Whether it is a Jack-o-lantern you're looking for, or a pumpkin for pie, we have it!

SEE: Best Nyack-Piermont-Area Pumpkin Patches 2020