Why Pumpkins?

Why Pumpkins?

Konnor-Ashley Randlett, Features Editor

Have you ever carved a pumpkin? Have you ever asked yourself, “Where did this idea even come from?” It has become a routine thing ever since childhood, carving faces and various animals into pumpkins.

The act of carving pumpkins was said to have come from Ireland, where the Irish would use large pumpkins, turnips, and potatoes as a canvas for their creativity. Irish immigrants brought this tradition to the Americas where it was then turned into a Halloween holiday tradition.

The idea of Jack-o’-Lanterns is said to have come from West England with different variations from different regions. An old European folklore says a man name Jack used pumpkins with candles in them to keep evil spirits away.

Another folklore dealing with Jack-o’-Lanterns is the tale of the Headless Horseman where the he used a jack-o’-lantern as a replacement for his lost head. There was also the idea that pumpkins were carved and a candle was placed in them for light used by guides in the 19th century.

Through the course of many years, the tradition of carving pumpkins has less to do with folklore and more to do with being a fun family tradition. People have gotten so involved with pumpkins that there are thousands of people trying to grow the heaviest. There have been pumpkins weighing anywhere from 5 pounds to 2,906 pounds! Competing for the biggest pumpkin has become such a phenomena that in some contests, winners can receive a cash prize of $100 to $15,000!

So the next time you are standing in a pumpkin patch, you will know the history of the pumpkin and the story of the Jack-o-Lantern, or maybe you will consider growing a 3,000 pound pumpkin. As they say, the world is your pumpkin!