By: Mandi West
The North Logan Pumpkin Walk, a free gallery of artistic vision using
pumpkins and gourds, opened Thursday to the public. The Pumpkin Walk is
celebrating 30 years of creativity and collaborations.
The Pumpkin Walk started in 1983 by Ida Beutler. Beutler and her neighbors
would craft scenes out of pumpkins she grew on her farm. In 1992, the location
moved from her farm to Elk Ridge Park to better adjust to the growing number of
visitors and scenes.
Gina Worthen, the publicity and graphics director for the Pumpkin Walk,
stated that now on average thousands of people visit each year. Worthen said
that it became popular because it was a holiday event that could appeal to many
different crowds.
“The goal of the Pumpkin Walk is to continue Ida's vision of a free,
fun and non-scary event for all ages,” Worthen said. “It’s that idea that has
made this a fun Halloween activity for everyone.”
Worthen mentioned that this year will be extra special with it being
the 30th year. The theme this time is “A Walk to Remember.” Many of
the scenes will be a throwback to 1980 and 1983 specifically for the
anniversary.
“This year we have more scenes than ever,” Worthen said. “They are all
really awesome especially the M*A*S*H scene that is positively epic.”
The Pumpkin Walk has hundreds of volunteers from the community that
craft many pumpkins and gourds together to create popular scenes like Disney
movies and television series. Brock Smith, a local from Logan, visited the
Pumpkin Walk on Thursday with a group of friends.
“I’ve heard about the Pumpkin Walk for years and always wanted to go,”
Smith said. “It was a great free activity to visit with friends and the
Wreck-it Ralph scene was my favorite.”
Smith was surprised by the level of talent used to paint and carve the
pumpkins.
“There was a lot of detail, some of the pumpkins looked exactly like
the actual characters,” Smith said.
There are many activities for all to enjoy at the Pumpkin Walk. Worthen
mentioned how there are pictures from past years to look at, a puppet show for
kids to see with puppets also made out of pumpkins, a train ride for kids and a
free treat at the end of the walk.
“Everybody matters and makes a difference from the people who
come to enjoy and the volunteers who help create all the great masterpieces,”
Worthen said. “It is thanks to the community support that the Pumpkin Walk is
able to come back every year to entertain everybody.”
You can visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/pumpkinwalk or visit the website at
pumpkinwalk.com for more information about
the Pumpkin Walk. The Pumpkin Walk will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 25-26
& 28-29, 2013.
