Artists were at work, both inside and outside, at the City of Hurricane’s annual Pumpkin Carving event.

Sunday, October 22, was a great day for carving up pumpkin at Hurricane’ City Park. Pumpkin artists of all ages participated in the annual event, some in the relative comfort of the Park’s barn shelter and others on sheets of polyethylene provided by the City. Three hundred and fifty free pumpkins were given away to contestants. The City also supplied pumpkin carving kits to all who did not bring their own tools. The event also featured free hot chocolate and music and singing by Branson Tolliver.

At 5 p.m. carving contest entries were judged with the top three in each of four groups and a Mayor’s Award winner receiving gift bags. The four groups were 5 years and younger, ages 6 to 10, ages 11 to 16, and 17 years and older. The winners were: (Ages 17+) 1st – Yukimi Hokonohara, 2nd – Virginia, 3rd – Kubota; (Ages 11-16) 1st – Allison H., 2nd – Gabby W., 3rd – Kira M.; (Ages 6-10) 1st – Anson, 2nd – Audrey, 3rd – Adam L.; (Ages 0-5) 1st – Renki, 2nd – Haru, 3rd – Hiro; Mayor’s Choice – Natasha Black. Gift bags: 1st – Medal, McDonalds gift card, Gino’s gift card; 2nd – Medal, McDonalds gift card; 3rd – Medal, some Hurricane items; Mayor’s Choice – Medal, McDonalds gift card, Gino’s gift card, and some Hurricane items.

Event sponsors were Putnam County Bank, Martin’s Peterbuilt, O’Dell Orthodontics and Farmer’s Bank.