Every October, we're excited to bring you our Annual Literary Pumpkin Pageant! You're invited to show off your creativity and artistic abilities by decorating a pumpkin with a literary theme: A character from a story or novel, events or scenes from a book you love, or even your interpretation of a poem!
Over the years, we've had loads of great entries you can browse using the slideshows below. Maybe yours will be our grand prize winner this year! Everyone of every age can participate, and the community can vote for their favorite in each category beginning October 24.
We can't wait to see what story your pumpkin will tell!
Contest Details
- Categories include ages 5 & under, ages 6-8, 9-12, 13-17, 18 & over, and library staff
- Submissions will be accepted this year from October 15 through October 22
- Voting will be October 24–29
- Pageant winners will be announced October 31
- Entrants should pick up their pumpkins by November 1, if desired; otherwise, pumpkins will be disposed of
Rules for Submission
- Entries must be real pumpkins; no plastic or other synthetic pumpkins will be accepted
- Pumpkins must occupy an area no larger than 12 x 12 inches (any height is acceptable)
- Entries must be whole; carved or punctured pumpkins will not be accepted
- Pumpkins may be decorated with any materials that don't puncture them or exceed the 12 x 12 space
- Entries must have a literary theme such as a quote, scene, or character from a book or poem
- No materials are provided by the library for this contest
- Entries should be submitted at our children's area, including the name of the book, character, author, etc. that inspired the design
