Bridgehampton - The Bridgehampton Lions Club held their annual Pumpkin Carving Contest on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Community House on Monday, October 26, to the delight of area residents, and most particularly those competitors who carved and decorated some spooky, frightful, humorous, timely and beautiful pumpkins.

Shane Hennessy with his entry.

This is no contest for those who think pumpkin carving is merely an activity to do once a year around Halloween. These competitors take their carving and decorating skills, plus imagination and humor to the max!

Once again this year the Bridgehampton Lions Club offered an absolutely enjoyable community event that included free apple cider donuts, and hot apple cider drinks (from the Milk Pail), and even hot pizza slices for everyone in attendance at this free event, although donations were gratefully accepted.

The categories were numerous and included some substantial prize winning money. The joy on the faces of attendees and pumpkin carving participants reminded all that treats abound on Halloween, with or without the tricks.

New categories this year included "The House That Jack Built," "Holy Headstone," and "Farmstand Freakout," as well as the Mystery category "Nightmare on the Nile." Favorite categories from years past were still available for competition including "Toss Your Seeds," "Pulp Politico," "Mother Groosesome," "Punk-alicious," "Ghastly Grin," "Sea Screecher," "Freaky Tiki," "Galactic Glow," "Odd Lot," "Not So Classic Jack" and, of course "Classic Jack" and "Classic Jill." These categories were open to all ages, and included first place prize money of $50, and second place prize of $20. With big money involved there were category sponsors - and these local businesses are to be commended for adding even more community spirit to the event.

Andrew Cassel, 17, with his entry "Atlantic Angler."

Additionally, the "12 and under Freestyle" category included a number of carvers vying for the first place prize money of $150, second place of $100, and third place of $50. There was also the 'big win' category "All Ages Freestyle" which included a first place prize of $250, second place prize of $150, and a third place prize of $75 - as mentioned - it was game on for these carvers.

The evening also included a Puppet Show by Liz Joyce and Goat on a Boat Theatre, and live music from drummers Escola de Samba Boom. The evening was rockin' with entertainment for all ages.

Amid haystacks to sit on, full tummies and glowing candlelight the winners were announced - here it became a bit chatoic but the gentlemen of the Lions Club and volunteers rushed the prize winning pumpkins to the front for all to see. The glow from the winners was almost as bright as the glow from the candle lit entries.

Shanti Esclante, 11 and Casey Grubb, 11, with their entry "Pumpkin Pukers."

With no entry fee and some very simple rules to abide by, including a maximum of three entries per person, one per category, and no carving allowed on the premises, the judging (secret of course) began at dusk. All entries were to be taken home after the contest, and there were extra candles on hand for those that may have forgotten one in the heat of battle. This annual event once again provided an opportunity for neighbors and friends, and some new competitors, to come together for a fun-filled evening.

A Little History Of Pumpkin Carving
A bit of background information on just why pumpkin carving is considered a 'must do' at Halloween according to Pumpkin Carving 101 website:

 • For most of the general population October 31 is known as Halloween and is a night for dressing up, telling ghost stories, having spooky parties, trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. What most people don't know is that Halloween is actually based on an ancient Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced "sow wan"), which means "summer's end." It was the end of the Celtic year, starting at sundown on October 31 and going through to sundown on November 1. It was a night to honor loved ones that had passed on since the veil between their realm and ours is at it's thinnest on that night.

Will Stoecker, 11, with his entry "Burnee Madoff."

 • For Celts of old, witches and many other nature based religions, it is the most magical night of the year. It is the Witches' New Year, and the Last Harvest. Glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.

 • When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in America they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn't really catch on big in this country until the late 1800s .

 • Pumpkins are indigenous to the western hemisphere and were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. In 1584, the French explorer Jacques Cartier reported from the St. Lawrence region that he had found "gros melons", which was translated into English as "ponpions," or pumpkins. In fact, pumpkins have been grown in America for over 5,000 years. Native Americans called pumpkins "isquotersquash."

 • Did you know that pumpkins are not a vegetable - they are a fruit! Pumpkins, like gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members of the Cucurbitacae family , which also includes cucumbers, gherkins and melons.

Mark Tompkins, with Milo, 4, and their entry "Werewolf."

Halloween Safety Tips
The Town of Southampton has offered some Halloween safety tips for everyone as follows:

 • In an effort to prevent a potential fire, it is important that everyone be a little more fire-wise with regards to their personal homes and surroundings in order to ensure that this Halloween is a safe and happy holiday for all.

 • When purchasing a costume, read the labels to ensure that the material is "flame retardant" or "flame resistive." This includes not only clothing, but wigs and masks as well. Make sure a child's costume fits well and that there is not a lot of hanging material which could become a trip hazard or potentially come in contact with a flame from a candle or a cooking appliance. If a child is wearing a mask, make sure that they are able to see through the eye-holes.

 • Wherever possible, try to use an alternate means for decorating rather than using candles. Flashlights and battery-powered holiday lights can be used to illuminate a jack-o-lantern.

 • If you are out trick-or-treating after dark, carry a flashlight and wear light-colored clothing. Children should be escorted by an adult or travel within a group. Remember, there is safety in numbers.

 • Teach children the importance of fire safety and traffic safety as well. Many times children dart out from between parked vehicles to cross a street without looking and potentially run right into traffic. If you are driving at any time on Halloween, be wary of children, alone or in groups walking or running in the roadways.

Some of the entries in the "Not So Classic Jack" category.

 • "Haunted Houses" are always a fire and life safety concern. Decorations and reduced lighting can make a familiar building seem completely different. Exits may be obscured or blocked (which in a non-residential building is a violation of New York State Fire Codes). If you are creating or are involved in creating a haunted house, the fire codes still apply. The fire alarm system, fire sprinkler system and other emergency systems (illuminated Exit signs, emergency lighting units, etc.) can not be disabled obstructed or altered in any fashion. A fire safety plan is required to be established and all employees or "characters" are required to be trained in emergency procedures. In the event of an emergency, all of the members of the production need to work together to evacuate all occupants to the outside of the structure and to safety.

And finally...remember to set your clocks back on Halloween night, and to check and change the batteries in your smoke detectors. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Two of the many members of the wonderful Bridgehampton Lions Club which once again put on a great evening for community members. The pumpkin was done by the Lions member on the left.