With Halloween just around the corner, the College of Architecture, Design and Construction is scaring up its 22nd annual Pumpkin Carve Oct. 29.
"The Pumpkin Carve began in 1988 as an idea proposed by professors Tarik Orgen and David Biggie," said Kristy Swann, president of American Institute of Architecture Students president at Auburn. "Since its inception, the event has grown to include students as well as the rest of the Auburn family and the larger Auburn community."
The Pumpkin Carve originally started out as a requirement and competition for architecture students in two studios at the University. It has grown to welcome all members of the community.
"Each year the event usually turns out 400 carved pumpkins and is attended by anywhere up to 5,000 Auburn students, faculty, residents, parents and children," Swann said.
As of last year, local elementary schools are invited to bring their students to participate in the Pumpkin Carve as well.
"Students, Faculty, and Community members are all very responsive to the Pumpkin Carve," Swann said. "It consistently draws people to the School of Architecture each year and is a wonderful way for people to interact in a fun, entertaining and beautiful way."
This year participants are asked to bring one canned food item for the Beat Bama Food Drive as their entrance fee.
According to www.beatbamafooddrive.com, AU collected more than 164,000 pounds of food last year for the drive.
"I think it's a great event, and I think it's a great way for us to interact with the community," said Christina Walton, senior in architecture.
Other groups in CADC are allowed to engage in the Pumpkin Carve to get a chance to fundraise money for their organizations also.
"Last year funds raised by the (student council Pie-a-Professor) event were donated to the D.K. Ruth Scholarship Fund," Swann said.
D.K. Ruth graduated from Auburn with a bachelor's degree in architecture, and returned to as a professor in the School of Architecture starting in 1989, according to the CADC website. The scholarship fund was created in his memory after his passing last August.
This year the money collected from the event and pumpkin sales will go toward sponsoring the AIAS. The cans collection is sponsored by the Student Ambassadors and will also have a part in the Pumpkin Carve.
"This year is the first time that we have incorporated the 'can'struction event into Pumpkin Carve," Swann said.
The idea for the 'can'struction stemmed from the AUCAN event from a few years ago.
"All the cans that are currently being collected within CADC as well as the cans brought the night of the Pumpkin Carve will be used to design a structure that will be displayed next to the Pumpkin Carve," said Caitlyn Gullatte, senior in building science.
Swann said those who want to participate in the pumpkin carving are encouraged to bring their own carving tools. The pumpkins will be judged based on appearance, craftsmanship and creativity, according to the CADC website. At the end of the night, pumpkins will be sold for $5 and AIAS members will get $1 off their purchase.
"I have been to the Pumpkin Carve for the past two years, and I am always very impressed with what people can come up with," Gullatte said.
Besides the pumpkin carving, other events include face painting, a bake sale, a face-in-hole photo booth, pin-the-tail-on-a-werewolf and pie-a-professor.
"The pie-a-professor is hosted by the College of Architecture Design and Construction Student Council," Swann said. "Students and fellow professors bid on each 'pied' professor, and the winning bid gets three throws."
Participants can also purchase Pumpkin Carve T-shirts designed by students. Adult shirts are $15 and children's shirts are $12. AIAS members will get $2 off their purchase.
"My favorite part of Pumpkin Carve is when the sun sets and we begin to light the pumpkins," Swann said. "It is truly a beautiful scene to be surrounded by that orange glow of 400 exquisitely carved pumpkins. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!"
The Pumpkin Carve will begin at 9 a.m. Friday in the Dudley Courtyard and will end sometime after the viewing of the pumpkins, which begins at 7:15p.m.
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