Send us photos of your best jack-o'-lantern efforts -- with or without you in costume -- and we'll post them here. Please include your name, age (for the kids, at least), and hometown. (Parents: we'll post just first names and town.)


The Legend of the Jack-O'-Lantern

An old Irish folk tale tells of a mean and stingy man named Jack. When he died, Jack wasn't allowed into Heaven. But the Devil didn't want Jack either, so he gave Jack a burning piece of coal and told him to put it in the large turnip he was eating. Jack was told to use his turnip for a lantern and walk the earth until judgement day.

People in Ireland carried lights carved out of turnips to scare away evil spirits. Then children began making the lanterns into faces to be used the evening before a festival known as Hallows' Day, or All Souls' Day.

When the Irish came to America, they brought this story and custom with them. But instead of turnips they used pumpkins, with a candle for a light. (That way they could save more of the yummy turnips for eating!)


Nancy Sherer sends these creative creations made from Downing pumpkins!
(Nancy particularly likes to be inspired by our "misfit" pumpkins.)


Doug and Ann Keller -- 2011


Staff of Home Federal Savings Bank, Eagan, MN -- 2011


Ms. Zenk's 4th grade class, Anderson Elementary, Minnecapolis, and their Downing Farm pumpkins (2009).


Here's 6-month-old Rennick, of Princeton, enjoying his Downing Farm pumpkin. (2007)


The Rodriguez family carved this impressive display from Downing Farm pumpkins in 2005.


Doug and Ann carved these creations from Downing Pumpkins in 2003.

 

Skeleton Anthony and robot Austin, from Cambridge, Minnesota, spun one whopper of a spider.


-

Tammy from St. Paul, Minn., not only dressed like a cow, but she carved a cow, as well!


Here are Tammy's creations for 2001.


Dave carved these best buddies. Do you recognize them? Don't overlook the rubber duckie!


 

[HOME | FARM TOUR | PUMPKIN SALES INFO | PUMPKIN FACTS | COOKING]

[ASK DAISY | CARVING TIPS | [PUMPKINS IN THE CLASSROOM | HUMOR]

[JACK-O'-LANTERN HALL OF FAME | PUMPKIN BOWLING]

[THE COWS | THE BARN | BEES | ANIMAL TALES | FAVORITE LINKS]

[LIFE CYCLE: A YEAR IN THE FIELD]