Each October, as a chill grips the air and multi-colored leaves coat the landscape, carved, lit pumpkins adorn porches and yards across the land in celebration of the fall season and Halloween. GPB is adding to the fun with our first-ever GPB Kids Pumpkin Carving Contest October 1 -31.

But first, have you ever wondered how the centuries-old practice of pumpkin carving got started?  

According to an Irish myth, it began with a man named Stingy Jack and a turnip instead of a pumpkin.

One day Stingy Jack tricked the Devil by making him get stuck in a tree. He then struck a deal with the Devil to let him down if he wouldn’t take his soul. Years later when Stingy Jack passed away, he was turned away from Heaven and Hell. With no choice but to wander forever in the dark, Stingy Jack asked the Devil for a light and was given a burning coal, which he placed in a hollowed out turnip. Ever since that time, Stingy Jack has been roaming the earth.

 The Irish referred to Stingy Jack’s ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.” On all Hallow's eve, they hollowed out turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes and beets and carved scary faces in them to ward off evil spirits and keep Stingy Jack away. In the 1800s, Irish immigrants who came to America discovered that pumpkins were bigger and easier to carve out and began using them for Jack O'Lanterns.

These days, pumpkin carving is more about using your imagination than warding off evil spirits, and we want to see your child’s artistic skills in the first-ever GPB Kids Pumpkin Carving Contest.

The contest kicks off Saturday, October 1, and it runs through Monday, October 31. GPB will choose three prizewinners who will each receive a GPB Kids Prize Pack.

It’s easy to participate. For complete contest rules and information, click here. You can also download carvables of GPB Kids favorites, including Curious George, Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, Arthur, SuperWhy and more. Pick your favorite and upload a photo of the carved pumpkin as your entry.

Good luck!