We’re happy to announce the results of our 5th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Many thanks to everyone who voted for their favorite pumpkin. We received a record number of votes this year – over 400! This time around, there wasn’t a clear winner from the beginning; the winner pumpkin beat the second most favorite pumpkin by only seven votes (75 to 68). So here is the Readers’ Choice winner (drumroll…):

“Spooky Trumpkin” carved by Nate Johnson:

Congratulations, Nate! Many folks, including us, appreciate your pumpkin carving skills and your sense of humor. You will receive our grand prize: a $35 gift card from Renata’s Kitchen, a $25 gift card from a local business of your choice, and two Curio Theatre tickets ($50 value).

Just because it was so close, we also would like to mention Kathryn Kamowski whose “Skull” pumpkin finished second. Amazing work, Kathryn! We’ll also send you a prize.

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Once again, we received some great entries in our annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Thank you to everyone who participated, and now it’s time to vote for your favorite pumpkin. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. The Readers’ Choice winner, who will receive our grand prize, and winners in other categories (Scariest, Funniest, Best Philly-Themed, and Kids) will be announced on November 3.

First, check out the pumpkins (click on the images to enlarge them):

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Dear West Philly Local readers,

We’re happy to announce our 5th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Starting today (Oct 15) and through October 31, we’re accepting snapshots of your carved pumpkins at: contest@westphillylocal.com (one entry per person). As always, we’ll have some awesome prizes from local businesses.

Winners will be selected in the following categories:

• Scariest
• Funniest
• Kids (12 and under)
• Best Philly-themed
• Readers’ Choice (grand prize)

The entry deadline is 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Visit the Pumpkin Carving Contest page for more details on how to submit your entry. Happy carving!

Many thanks to all who submitted their entries in this year’s Pumpkin Carving Contest. There were many amazing jack-o’-lanterns this year and our jury had a blast selecting winners in the Scariest, Funniest, Kids, Best Philly Themed, and Special Prize categories. Also, we’d like to thank everyone who voted for their favorite pumpkin and helped us select the Readers’ Choice winner.

Here are this year’s winners and we are already looking forward to next year’s contest!

Readers’ Choice: Bimal Desai (Dragon pumpkin)

Bimal Desai, a pediatrician and married father of two, did it again! His outstanding Dragon pumpkin was an absolute favorite in the Readers’ Choice category. Out of 289 votes submitted 112 were cast for this pumpkin. Congratulations to Bimal and he wins some great prizes from local businesses: a $40 gift certificate from Cafe Renata, a $40 gift card from Sabrina’s Cafe, a three-month membership to International House Philadelphia, a $25 gift certificate from Honest Tom’s Taco Shop and two Curio Theatre tickets.  Continue Reading

We received some great entries in this year’s Pumpkin Carving Contest, many of them from our young neighbors. Many thanks to everyone who participated! And now, it’s time to vote for your favorite pumpkin! All the entries are below. Please choose your favorite and cast your vote at the bottom of this post (please only one vote per person).

Just a reminder that the Readers’ Choice winner will receive our grand prize, which includes some great food and entertainment offers: a $40 gift card from Sabrina’s Cafe, a $40 gift certificate from Cafe Renata, a 3-month membership to International House Philadelphia, and Curio Theatre tickets. In addition to these prizes, a Readers’ Choice winner can also select one prize from the following businesses: Mariposa Food Coop, VIX Emporium, Honest Tom’s Taco Shop, and Rx The Farmacy.

Voting will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2 and the Readers’ Choice winner and winners in other categories (Scariest, Funniest, best Philly-themed, and Kids) and their prizes will be announced shortly after that. This year, to encourage participation, we’ll also have a random drawing among the entries that didn’t win in any other category.

OK, ready? Here you go (click to enlarge):

Voting has ended.

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Many thanks to all who already submitted photos of their carved creations for West Philly Local‘s 2014 Pumpkin Carving Contest. Here’s a reminder that we’re accepting contest entries until 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. After that there will be Readers’ Choice voting and all the winners will be announced on November 3. Please read more information on how to enter the contest here.

We would like to thank this year’s sponsors, all local businesses and organizations, who are providing prizes: Cafe Renata, Curio Theatre, Honest Tom’s Taco Shop, International House Philadelphia, Lil’ Pop Shop, Mariposa Food Co-op, Penn Museum, NEW! Rx The Farmacy, Sabrina’s Cafe, and VIX Emporium.

NOTE: Some readers put photos of their jack-o’-lanterns on Instagram and linked them to our site (hashtag #westphillylocal). Please make sure to also email them to: contest@westphillylocal.com with your name, address and age (if you’re entering the Kids’ category). Thank you! We’re looking forward to more submissions.