Tag: halloween

Get Tips from the Master Pumpkin Carvers at Dollywood Great Pumpkin LumiNights

Posted on by Sarah Marshall

Dollywood Carving Tips from the Masters Chris Carving w GPLN pumpkin

My first post is up on the Dollywood Insiders blog!! I am so excited for the opportunity to share some behind-the-scenes info and pass along info that can make your experience at Dollywood as wonderful as can be!!!

For my first assignment, I was tasked with learning more about the Master Pumpkin Carvers that are showcased in the Dollywood Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Guests at the park get the pleasure of watching the artists turn plain ol’ pumpkins into amazing works of art.

Dollywood Great Pumpkin LumiNIghts Carver Chris

Carving Tips from the Masters Carving Station

Dolly Parton doesn’t do things halfway and neither does Dollywood. They’ve brought in the carvers of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers to share their expertise. Their creations have been displayed in places like The Museum of Modern Art and they’ve made appearances on Good Morning America & The Chew among many others. They were also winners on the Food Network competition show, Halloween Wars.

I could have stood at the stand and watched them work all day. The artistry and level of detail is awe-inspiring!

Carving Tips from the Masters Carving Station

Dollywood Carving Tips from the Masters Bear Grist Mill

Dollywood Carving Tips from the Masters More Pumpkins

Dollywood Carving Tips from the Masters Mystery Mine

Dollywood Great Pumpkin LumiNights Illuminated Logo Pumpkin

One of the artists from Maniac Pumpkin Carvers was generous enough to share some tips & tricks to getting a great looking carved pumpkin at home. Head over to the Dollywood Insiders Blog to read these tips and more!!

Halloween is Not My Thing

Halloween is Not My Thing

Posted on by Sarah Marshall

Halloween
Is there a Halloween equivalent to Ebenezer Scrooge? If there is, that would describe me to a T.

I don’t get into buying or making costumes that will be worn once, maybe twice. I don’t like having all that candy in our house and haunted houses and scary movies aren’t my idea of entertainment.

You must thinking that I sound like a whole lot fun about now, right?

I’m probably not really but I’ll admit to being a party-pooper when it comes to Halloween. It’s just not for me and that’s okay…I don’t have to participate in it…..

Oh yeah – I have kids so yes, yes I do.

Que the costumes and decorations (they’re lucky Daddy is fun!) and the trick or treating…

Gabriella
One of my favorite costume creations – Gabriella from Sid the Science Kid

And because I have this irrational dislike for buying costumes and putting money into this, my least favorite of holidays, I’d made a good percentage of Brooke’s costumes in the past. Again until fun Daddy convinced Mommy that it’s okay to hit the party store and buy the dumb costume and be done with it.

So to all the other mommas out there who also feel less than jazzed when the jack-a-lanterns start popping up on porches everywhere and the kids get ideas for elaborate costumes, let’s remember it’s just one day (or 3 separate events for us!) and let the kiddos have their fun.

Then steal the good candy when they go to bed.