Pumpkin Festival Fun!

Hollywood

This afternoon I grabbed my camera and headed to a local Pumpkin Festival, knowing it would be a visual treat, and I was not disappointed. Having a daughter who spent the better part of the last decade in Hollywood, a broad smile broke out on my face when I saw the above entrance. Central casting, indeed!
What I had not anticipated, however, was that the competing contestants were all dogs and I had arrived straight in the midst of a doggie Halloween costume contest, at the very moment they were voting for the various contestants, through audience applause. What timing! The winner was quickly revealed to be a miniature doberman pinscher named Ginger who was disguised as a poodle. Yep! Here she is. Isn’t she too funny??
poodledoggie
Ginger as poodle

As you can imagine, I doggedly went to stage (hahaha) and snapped away before they all dispersed to collect their well earned ribbons. My absolute favorite was the Clown Doggie, no doubt about that. Doesn’t she look happy?
clowndoggie
Clown doggie

Precious, precious, precious.

Off on the sidelines was this cutie pie, whose mom spotted my camera and quickly offered to “put his hat back on.” Oh, please do!
firedoggie
Firetruck doggie

I always have slightly mixed feelings about dressing up our doggies at Halloween, so very much appreciated this unencumbered butterfly dog, who seemed to appreciate the attention, as most labs do.
butterflydogButterfly doggie

Moving through the crowd along the bustling closed off street I spotted this fascinating semi-reptilian creature, which I found extremely creative, especially as the person underneath was very agile in her movements. Well done!
costume

As would be expected, pumpkins were in abundance. Here were two images that captured my imagination.

pumpkin

Clearly this is a California pumpkin!

Being a gardener I can just imagine the care and nurturing it took to first grow this big pumpkin–and then can only imagine the skill and time taken in the carving for our enjoyment and delight!

bigpumpkin

The inevitable image of death embodied in this skeleton struck my fancy, especially as it had been mounted inside the large window of a yoga studio! Attention to the frame of one’s body, yes! This brought a whole new context to what traditionally is a “scary” part of Halloween!
skeleton

Turning towards home I found my step a little lighter, a small grin fixed firmly on my face, having steeped myself in the creativity and sharing of spirit of community around one of my favorite of holidays. Thanks for sharing the journey. Now how will you celebrate yours?

Love and holiday blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Reader’s Corner: Here is the pumpkin Philip turned into a turkey one Thanksgiving! [See comment below!]
Thanks, Philip!! ๐Ÿ™‚
Pumpy

15 Responses to “Pumpkin Festival Fun!”

  1. I love Halloween, it’s such a fun-filled holiday. Thanks for the charming pictures.

  2. Pam, good morning! i actually thought of you last evening as I prepared this post, thinking you might well appreciate it! Glad to see I was right! Kathryn xoxo

  3. Awwwwe! The dogs look great! Too cute! How festive and fun! I Love Halloween, too!

    Love,
    Antonia
    xoxox

  4. Hi, Antonia! Sorry you missed this event! Glad I could help share the festivities through these pics! Love,
    Mom xoox

  5. Hi Kathryn!
    I know what you mean out doubts about dressing up dogs. What is seen here is dogs who look very happy and delighted to be the center of attention. I think that dogs do not like being laughed at, but they know the difference when they are in on it.
    One year I made an incredible racoon pumpkin lantern! The best (although it sounds goofy) was a pumpkin I decorated on Thanksgiving as a turkey with stick arms, paper wattle,beak, waistcoat, tail and top hat. Named “Pumkey, the Pumpkin Who Thought We Was a Turkey”, he was a very silly centerpiece. Silliness and fun is perfect for the holidays, and anytime!
    All the best,
    Philip

  6. Oops, that should be” the pumkin who thought HE was a turkey”
    ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Good morning, Philip! Good point! If the dogs are having fun and getting attention, great! If they are confused and bogged down, not so great. ๐Ÿ™‚ My Border Collies are not inclined to getting dressed up. Even scarves and bows are rejected. (You might recall in a past post…) ๐Ÿ™‚ The turkey pumpkin is hilarious! I wish we could all have big gardening blog contest on dressing up our pumpkins as turkeys this year. How fun would that be?? With a top hat?? PIC?? Email and I will post as footnote! Kathryn xoxo

  8. So funny, so sweet. The skeleton also strikes my fancy. Not too scary. Just right. ๐Ÿ™‚ ~~Dee

  9. Hi, Dee! Thanks! Yes, it was very balanced. Nothing weird! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for stopping by! Kathryn xoox

  10. Oh what fun…those dogs are simply hilarious! Wonder what I could dress the camel up as??? Kim

  11. Hi, Kim! I’m not sure, but if you DO I want to SEE!! Send jpeg and I will add to this corner I’m creating in the footnote spot! Seriously! Kathryn xoxo

  12. Kathryn!
    I cannot believe you posted this, but it does give me a giggle!
    The holidays are about family and friends and laughter: throw stress out the window!
    I learned from my families example that for a great party, you should have the best time yourself!
    This is the perfect time of the year to think about the holidays and make things, either planned, or spur of the moment as inpiration compells you!
    Nothing like a few bits of paper, glue and whatever is at hand!
    Too much fun!
    I am laughing that you posted this, but life is so much fun, isn’t it!
    Warm regards,
    Philip

  13. HI, Philip! I think Pumpy is a good symbol for all you are saying! Let the games begin! Kathryn xoox

  14. What a fun post Kathryn! It brings back fond memories of taking my daughters to the pumpkin patch each year. I miss the tradition and enjoyed seeing your festival photos.

  15. Hi, Kathlene! I bet we took our daughters to some of the same places as children! Yes, so fun. I still enjoy keeping the tradition alive for myself, Antonia and other children. I just taped a paper pumpkin Antonia made in nursery school to the front window! (She liked it.) Love, Kathryn xoxo

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