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Participants decorate pumpkins to resemble favorite book characters

 

POLK COUNTY—Polk County Public Libraries is set to host the Fifth Annual Literary Pumpkin Challenge starting on Monday, October 9. The contest is for participants of all ages, who will have a chance to paint or decorate a pumpkin to resemble a favorite book character.

Beginning Monday, decorated pumpkins can be dropped at the Columbus Library or the Saluda Library during business hours. The deadline to drop off pumpkins is Saturday, October 14.

Participants can paint or dress their pumpkins, and can use accessories to decorate their creations, but carved pumpkins will not be accepted. 

“I’m so excited for this event and can’t wait to see the importance that literature has on the community in such an artistic way,” says Columbus Library employee Dawn Forward.

Between Monday, October 16 and Saturday, October 28 library patrons will vote for their favorite pumpkins. Ballots can be cast either in person or online via Polk County Public Libraries’ Facebook page. Five winners will be selected to receive a $20 gift card for a local business. 

The pumpkins that receive the most votes at Columbus Library, the most votes at Saluda Library and the most votes on Facebook will be announced on Monday, October 30. A staff favorite will also be chosen, and the fifth winner will be selected randomly from the remaining pumpkins. 

“This is a contest for all ages so we are likely to see pumpkins from the likes of Harry Potter all the way to adult literature icons such as Stephen King and Emily Dickinson,” says Forward.

For more information, contact Columbus Library at (828) 894-8721 or Saluda Library at (828) 722-5218.