PumpkInferno: Where Art Meets Autumn Magic

11/10/2024

Step into a world of glowing pumpkins, intricate artistry, and community spirit at Upper Canada Village’s enchanting PumpkInferno.

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Three rows of carved pumpkins sit on hay bales at dusk. Picture

Where can you go to hang out with Vincent van Gogh, Freddie Mercury, a giant octopus, and a few dinosaurs? If you’re me and it’s October, you head to Upper Canada Village, a heritage park in Morrisburg, eastern Ontario. Each autumn, this genteel farmland setting is transformed into an incredible pumpkin-focused experience, the decorative gourds transforming the landscape into every possible tableau, from classic art, rock and roll bands, undersea adventures, and, well, dinos. If you’re looking for an autumn experience that combines creativity, community spirit, and a touch of whimsy, you need to head to Upper Canada Village’s Pumpkinferno. My October wouldn’t be complete without it.

A giant octopus and several pieces of seaweed made from pumpkins as seen at duskPicture

A dinosaur made from pumpkins alight at nightPicture

Colourful mushrooms and toadstools, glowing. Picture

A tableau of a rock and roll stage showing the band Queen performing, all made from lit up pumpkinsPicture

I first attended this incredible light-filled event during the pandemic, when I was eager to find something, anything that was set in fresh air and away from my backyard. I immediately fell in love with how the entire historical village is transformed into an other-wordly display of autumn delights. A whopping 7,000 pumpkins (give or take a few) are used to create several dozen displays each year.

Carli Smelko, one of the driving forces behind PumpkInferno, started as a student carver back in 2012. After earning her degree in event management, she found her way back to Upper Canada Village as a special events officer. Carli now leads a committed crew, ensuring that the thousands of intricate displays come to life with every stroke of the carving knife. I chatted with her to learn more about what happens behind the scenes.

While they appear deceptively real, the pumpkins are crafted from polyfoam, allowing carvers to achieve stunningly fine details. Armed with an array of tools, from pumpkin knives to power tools, the team showcases their artistry with impressive finesse. Carli explains, “Carving these is like working with a mix of styrofoam and a traditional pumpkin.” She goes on to say: “I’ve been with Pumpkinferno since it all began,” and adds: “It’s incredible to witness how much we’ve grown. We work year-round, starting production as early as May, to dream up and execute the next season’s displays.”

A long and elaborate old fashioned train made from pumpkins glows at nightPicture

The displays themselves are a delightful mix of whimsy and scale. Picture a massive 28-foot-long train composed of 277 individually carved pumpkins! Each installation is a testament to teamwork, with every carver contributing individual pieces to create a breathtaking visual experience. Carly likens it to assembling a puzzle: “Each carver works on their sections, and we piece it all together to create these beautiful, cohesive works of art.”

Around 30 to 35% of the pumpkins are replaced each year. This allows beloved designs to shine again while keeping the event exciting and new. These polyfoam pumpkins are easier to manage and stand the test of time, with many reused year after year.

While the displays cover everything from animals to pop culture, there's one thing you won't find at PumpkInferno: Anything really scary. Some of the individual Jack O'Lanterns might have some scary faces (as seen below) but there's nothing designed to scare anyone. Everyone is in high spirits but there are no spooky spirits to contend with!

Stacked small pumpkins with carved faces at dusk, with the buildings of the historic village in the backgroundPicture

A portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, all made from pumpkinsPicture

A bunny and a wishing well, all made from pumpkins Picture

But Pumpkinferno isn’t just about the pumpkins; it’s deeply rooted in the community. The carvers are primarily students from the local area, lending a personal touch to each display. Carli shares, “It’s so fulfilling to see the students’ hard work pay off when visitors come and appreciate our creations. Those long hours of carving and planning become worthwhile in an instant.”

With its stunning artistry, community spirit, and a delightful blend of tradition and innovation, Pumpkinferno is not just an autumn event; it’s a celebration of creativity that captivates all who visit. If you’re seeking a uniquely delightful experience this fall, add Pumpkinferno to your must-see list — you won’t be disappointed! Carli says, “There’s something truly magical about seeing these pumpkins illuminated at night. Whether it’s a single, intricately carved piece or a massive installation, it’s all about how each part contributes to an extraordinary whole” and I couldn’t agree more.

A selfie of Vanessa standing in front of replica Eiffel Tower, made from pumpkins, seen at dusk. Picture

How To Attend:

Where: Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, Ontario. (Just over an hour's drive from Ottawa)

When: Evenings, late September to end of October.

Tickets: There is no general admission. When purchasing tickets, you must select a day and a time slot. There are no refunds, even if it's raining.

Timing: It takes about 40 minutes to walk through the pumpkin-adorned village.

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