Cut it out: Boardman pumpkin carvers revel in creativity

October 19, 2009 at 12:01a.m.

Boardman Park Pumpkin Carve-out

The carving event will continue this coming weekend.

YOUNGSTOWN — Some may smile, while others may frown, but each of the carved pumpkins sitting in Boardman Park carries some small bit of its creator’s personality.

Visitors to the park have been carving pumpkins in hopes of winning prizes for the most creative concepts. Patrons began carving pumpkins this past weekend and will continue the contest through the coming weekend.

A half-dozen large boxes filled with pumpkins of varying sizes line the Ex-Serviceman’s Pavilion. Participants select a pumpkin from the boxes and, after paying a small cutting fee, begin working on the creation that they hope will win them one of several gift baskets.

Heather Ramsey, 25, of Canfield, spent Sunday afternoon carving pumpkins with a group of friends in the park. Ramsey made it clear that none of the women and girls in the group are carving experts, but the fun is in the camaraderie.

“We are not shooting for anything specific. We are not hard-core carvers. We just wanted to have fun and carve some pumpkins,” she said.

Angela Centofanti, 26, Boardman, stood less than a foot from Ramsey, but the actual carving was just a little too much. Centofanti did purchase a pumpkin, but the “messy” aspect of the carving process forced her to hand the utensils to 10-year-old Amelia D’Angelo of Youngstown.

William Gratz, Boardman Township Park, said the event has been going on for about 30 years with proceeds benefitting 4-H Club of Mahoning County, 4-H Alumni, P.A.N.D.A. and Key Club of Boardman High School. He said participants will have carved between 350 and 450 pumpkins by the conclusion of the contest.

Gratz said those participating are also invited to enjoy the haunted hayrides in the park after dark, enjoy storytelling and sing songs or roast marshmallows and hot dogs over an open flame.

Getting warm by the open fire with pumpkins nearby is where Donna Huntley of Youngstown and her nephew Rashaun Brown began their visit to the park, brainstorming ideas about the carving process. Rashaun had a few of his own ideas, but wanted to browse some of the finished pumpkins sitting on bleachers alongside the parking lot.

Huntley had been living in Florida for several years and said the pumpkin carving is a good way to get out of the house and enjoy the fall weather.

“This is something we can do together, and it’s fun. When we get done here, we are going to the house to carve up some more and make hot chocolate. This is fall, and fall is fun,” she said.

Family time is what brought Pam Crow, her daughter Mollie Crow, Mollie’s fiance Michael Delfratte and Michael’s daughter 2-year-old Aubrianna, who wore a painted on cat face while helping with the carving.

“We were just looking for something to do with the 2-year-old, saw this on the news and decided to come out and see what it’s all about,” said Pam Crow.

Gratz said all the carved creations will be lighted and set on display after the contest has ended. There is also a list of events planned for the park on Halloween night.

jgoodwin@vindy.com