As recently announced on flyers distributed throughout Hickory Cluster, judging of the annual Pumpkin Carving Contest at your front door, balcony, or window is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. tonight. First Prize is $15, Second Prize is $10, and Third Prize is $5, funded by HCA. Results will be published here on the official HCA website.
The NOAA National Weather Service forecast, as of 10:30 a.m. this morning for Fairfax County tonight, is for a 70 percent chance of rain, but mainly after midnight, with south winds from 15-25 mph, and lows in the mid-60F range. So keep an eye on your masterpieces and try to illuminate and photograph them earlier rather than later this evening. Good luck!
UPDATE ... Hickory Cluster residents put on a great show for trick-or-treaters, parents, friends, and neighbors, despite a chilly, rainy evening.
First Place was awarded to the Wolcott Family in Block 3 for pumpkins custom-carved and decorated as Minion characters from the popular Universal Studios animated comedy Despicable Me films.
Second Place was awarded to the Barnett Family in Block 1 for a custom-carved pumpkin perched high up on their second floor balcony.
Third Place was awarded to the Ikhide Family in Block 2 for a pumpkin cleverly disguised as a mummy character lurking in the shadows near their front door.
And there were lots of other well-carved and brightly-lit jack-o'-lanterns throughout the cluster to enjoy.
Thanks to all the 2013 creative pumpkin artists for their hard work, and especially to Bob Anderson and Lani Young for organizing the event again this year.
