Words by Danielle Raymo
Photos by Julia Merrill

Perhaps the shortest season of them all here in Rochester, NY, but quite possibly (definitely) our favorite. This year, despite doing things differently due to the pandemic, we're going 🍂 FULL FALL 🍂 (necessary caps). We have: classes (as we do), a pumpkin themed-dinner with Lento, and last but not least, the reason for this very blog: a carving contest + our very own Pumpkin Carving Pattern Book, too!

Pumpkin Carving Contest

For the past four years we've teamed up with Lento for an evening of pumpkin carving followed by a pumpkin-themed dinner. While we can't do those things in-person this year, we still wanted to have a little fun. The dinner is happening to-go style on October 28th and 29th — and we're introducing a pumpkin carving contest into the mix!

The categories (+ prizes) are:

🎃 Family Friendly: Pumpkin carving is fun for all ages, so get the kids involved and enter as a family. Christy Roushey of The House Roushey will be selecting the winner from this category with the help of her own kids.

The winning family will receive a $50 gift card to Rochester Brainery, two passes to the Memorial Art Gallery, a set of cards from The House Roushey, and two pumpkin pins from Laura Makes Things.

🎃 Scare Us: Pumpkins that fright in the night! Show us your scary pumpkins. This category will be judged by Maya Rook who is no stranger to the strange with her History Happy Hour classes.

The winner will receive a $25 gift card to Rochester Brainery, a Halloween mug from The Secondhand Librarian, and a pumpkin tea towel + two pumpkin pins from Laura Makes Things.

🎃 Fun & Quirky: Get creative, colorful, and perhaps even a comical. Enter your fun and quirky pumpkins to this category that will be judged by someone who knows a little (a lot) about fun design, Jenny Rae Siplo, owner of Flowerwell.

The winner will receive a $25 gift card to Rochester Brainery, a dried flower bouquet from Flowerwell, and a pumpkin tea towel + two pumpkin pins from Laura Makes Things.

How it works*:

• Carve a pumpkin!
• Take a photo and submit it via email to info@rochesterbrainery.com between October 2nd, 2020-October 31st, 2020. Be sure to let us know which category you're entering.

• Our judges will deliberate, choosing one winner from each category. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020.

Pumpkin Carving Pattern Book

Create your own design, search for fun patterns online, or check out our Pumpkin Carving Pattern Book, available for free!

Download a copy of our
free Pumpkin Carving
Pattern Book here.

*Judges will not see the names of those who submit, only photos. Must be 18+ to enter. Winners will be notified via email. Prizes can't be shipped, but will be available for pick-up at Rochester Brainery starting on Wednesday, November 4th, 2020.