Carving The Perfect Pumpkin | An Ocean Lakes How-To

Pumpkin carving is a festive family tradition, especially at Ocean Lakes during Halloweekends! Each year, our guests amaze us with their creativity. Today, we are giving you a few tips on how to carve your perfect pumpkin. And, if you plan on joining us for Halloweekends, we hope to see your pumpkin entered into our Pumpkin Carving/Painting/Decorating Contest!

Pumpkin Carving/Painting/Decorating Contest | Drop off your already carved/painted/decorated pumpkin in the Recreation Center (9 AM - 12 PM). And, yes, your entry must be a real pumpkin. We will award prizes in each of the following categories: Most Unique, Funniest, Best Theme Execution, Best Decorated, and Best Carving Skills. Winners will be posted. We ask that you pick your pumpkin up between 7 PM – 9 PM on Saturday night. (Pumpkins not picked up will be thrown away on Sunday). NO FEE. Guest Voting: 1 PM – 4 PM. Voting will be done through CampersApp or through the Ocean Lakes’ website. 

Now, follow these steps to carve your perfect pumpkin | 

Step 1 | Pick the Perfect Pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch (try saying that 5 times fast): 
Your pumpkin should be fresh, bruise-free, have a sturdy stem, and preferably a flat bottom so it does not roll away from you!

Step 2 | The First Cut is the Deepest (name that song):
Did you know it is best to cut the hole/lid from the bottom of the pumpkin? It is true! This method prevents the sides of the pumpkin from caving. Give it a try! However, if you choose to carve from the top, cut out the hole/lid at an angle. The angle cut method prevents the hole/lid from falling inside the pumpkin.

 
Step 3 | Get to Scooping (like you are scooping a cone of ice cream):
Thin the inner wall of the "face" area to 1¼-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell. There are special claw spoons for scooping pumpkin insides out; however, if you have an ice cream scoop handy, that will do the trick!

Step 4 | Grab the Paper and Pencil (get creative):
Draw the design to scale with the size of the pumpkin. Once drawn, tape it to the front of the pumpkin by taping the corners. 

Step 5 | Trace your Design (kids: have a parent help with steps 5 and 6):
Use a fork or pencil to poke holes through the paper and pumpkin to create an outline of the design on the actual pumpkin. This will make carving much easier. 

Step 6 | Time to Carve (parental supervision advised):
Use an X-Acto knife or serrated kitchen knife for carving through the holes you poked through. Do not cut at an angle – Use clean up and down cuts into the pumpkin. 

Step 7 | Go Ahead, Be a Little Extra (you know you want to):
Use your pumpkin scraps to create add-ons, such as a tongue, hair bow, or glasses. To keep your pumpkin fresh, use petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in the moisture. And, as the cherry on top, sprinkle cinnamon inside the pumpkin, so that when you light the candle, your pumpkin will smell like a pumpkin pie. You are welcome for that one!

Until Next Time | Whether carving a pumpkin at your house or here at Ocean Lakes, we know your pumpkins will look awesome! Happy Halloweekends, ya’ll!