High Point wins pumpkin carving contest

WANTAGE — Crystal Springs Resort invited talented art students from all over Sussex County to participate in the third annual Jack-O-Lantern carving contest.
The students worked hard masterfully creating unique pumpkins so that the Jack-O-Lanterns can remain on display for the Halloween weekend.
This year on Oct. 26, 2018, Crystal Springs Resort hosted their annual contest. It was free and open to the public. The Jack-O-Lanterns were also lit on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6:30-9 p.m.
The judging panel for Best Craftsmanship, Silliest Jack, Scariest Jack, MVP and team collaboration consisted of Food and Beverage Director Mark Musili, Marketing Manager Nicole Molina and Restaurant Director, Cesar Reyes. High Point Regional High School put together a display to enter the “Team Collaboration” contest, and they won the Grand Prize of $1,000 donated by Crystal Springs. High Point Regional High School was inspired by the theme “Ofrenda”. An ofrenda is a collection of objects placed on a ritual altar during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. Each pumpkin either depicted an ‘offering’ (skulls, flowers, crosses, candles) or famous Hispanic artist and was carved perfectly. There was an abundance of variety, yet everything worked together beautifully.
For MVP, the judges selected a pumpkin that they felt was the showstopper for their team. Congratulations goes to Maddy Smolen from High Point for her “Garden of Lives” pumpkin which was carved through in a design that is so intricate it would usually be reserved for etching.