Everything You Need To Know

Pumpkin Glow Garden

What is the Pumpkin Glow Garden?

The Pumpkin Glow Garden, a community-driven art display and contest, is one of the most magical features of the first annual Old Town Fall Festival in Berea on Saturday October 18, 2025. We’re inviting the whole community to take part — carve a pumpkin, drop it off, and see it shine among dozens of glowing creations as Old Town comes alive at dusk. Lighted pumpkins will transform the space into a glowing path of creativity and wonder. Guests can wander through the garden, taking in each unique design, and enjoy the magic of the season as the pumpkins cast their glow into the night.

Together, we will light up the night in Old Town.

How Will It Work?

Anyone — individuals, families, schools, or businesses — can participate by carving and donating a pumpkin. Each pumpkin will be displayed with a number in the garden for festival-goers to admire. Throughout the day, visitors can wander through, enjoy the creativity, and vote for their favorites. Pumpkin Carvers are encouraged to invite their friends and family to visit the Fall Festival and vote for their pumpkin.

At dusk, the Pumpkin Glow Garden transforms into a glowing path of light, offering a magical experience for everyone who strolls through.

How to Enter

Click below to sign up and let us know your pumpkin is coming!

👉 Pumpkin Glow Garden Sign Up Form

Paper forms will also be available at pumpkin drop-off and during the Berea Arts Council’s Pumpkin Carving Night.

Categories & Prizes

Pumpkins will be judged in three categories:

  • Silliest

  • Spookiest

  • Most Creative

Each winner will receive a basket of goodies valued at over $400, including:

Winners will will be announced at the festival.

What’s the Timeline?

Friday, October 17

  • Berea Arts Council is hosting a Pumpkin Carving Event!

  • 10:30AM - 5:30PM: Pumpkin drop-off window at Maddox Made (139B N Broadway, Berea)

Saturday, October 18 – Festival Day

  • 9AM - 10AM: Final pumpkin drop-off deadline

  • 10AM – 6:30PM: Pumpkin Glow Garden open for display and voting

  • 6:55PM: Lighting Ceremony — pumpkins are illuminated for the full glow experience

  • 7PM: Winners announced

Sunday, October 19

  • 10:30AM - 5:30PM: Pick Up from the Garden. All pumpkins must be picked up (unclaimed pumpkins may be donated or discarded)

What are the Rules?

The rules for the Garden are as follows: 

  1. One Entry Per Person: Each participant may submit one pumpkin.

  2. Family-Friendly: Pumpkins must be appropriate for all ages — no hateful, inappropriate, divisive, violent, or unsafe content.

  3. Carved Design Required: Creativity is encouraged! Paint, props, and decorations are welcome, but because this is a Pumpkin Glow, the pumpkin must also be carved and the carving should be a defining feature of the design.

  4. Lighting: Battery-operated tea lights only. (We can provide if needed on a first come, first serve basis. No open flames permitted.)

  5. Condition at Drop-Off: Pumpkins must be cleaned, dried, and free of seeds/pulp. Please ensure your pumpkin is sturdy enough to sit safely on a flat surface. Your name and contact information must be securely attached (tag, card, or taped note).

  6. Drop-Off: Pumpkins must be dropped off at Maddox Made (139B N Broadway, Berea) on:
    Friday, October 17 between 10:30am - 5:30pm. 
    Saturday, October 18 between 9am - 10am. 

  7. Pickup: Pumpkins must be picked up between 10:30am - 5:30pm on Sunday, October 19. Any pumpkins left after that time may be donated or discarded.

  8. Voting: Each pumpkin will be displayed with a number to anonymously identify each pumpkin. Festival-goers will cast votes in the categories of:
    Silliest
    Spookiest
    Most Creative
    Voting will be open during Festival Hours on October 18th, 2025 from 10am - 6:30pm. Voting must take place in person by dropping a ballot into the Voting Cauldron. At 6:30pm, voting will be closed and votes will be counted. 
    Winners will be announced at 7pm right after the pumpkins have been lit. 

  9. Prizes: The Winner in each category will receive a basket of goodies valued at over $400, including:
    A photography mini session with Ariana Jordan Photography
    A glassblowing class with Fire & Fern Studio
    A handmade glass pumpkin
    Plus other local treats and surprises!

  10. Festival Discretion: The Old Town Fall Festival reserves the right to decline or remove any pumpkin deemed unfit for display or contest for any reason.

  11. Liability: The Old Town Fall Festival and Maddox Made are not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or decayed pumpkins.

Who is responsible for this?

The Old Town Fall Festival is is a community collaboration with Maddox Made, Fire & Fern Glass Studio, Top Drawer Gallery, the Berea Arts Council, Berea Rotary, and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. It is a celebration of art, community, and autumn magic. With live artist demonstrations, the dazzling Fire & Fern Glass Pumpkin Patch, local vendors, music, and family-friendly activities, Old Town will be the place to celebrate fall in Berea.