Jack o’ Jaunt: City hosts pumpkin carving contest

Maia Johnsson, Senior Staff Writer

The City of Palo Alto will give away $50 gift cards to the three contestants with the scariest, most creative and cutest jack o’ lanterns during its first ever “Jack o’ Jaunt” pumpkin carving competition Friday on University and California avenue.

Over 75 people of all ages are participating, and a wide array of different pumpkins will be on display according Community Services Manager Tyler Stetson. Winners of the contest will have their pumpkins displayed on all of the City’s social media accounts and will also receive a $50 gift card to a restaurant of their choice.

The Jack o’ Jaunt is a pumpkin carving contest where community members’ artistic talent in pumpkin carving will be judged by some city officials 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The contestants will be able to carve their pumpkins from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the viewing will start soon after at 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The judges, a panel of city-partner VIPs, will vote for their favorite pumpkin in the different categories.

While the event is open to the public, there will be safety precautions in place. Social distancing will be enforced, and the pumpkins will be spread out on the designated streets, according to the City of Palo Alto’s recreation division.

“We are very excited to be able to offer this event to the community in a safe and enjoyable way,” Stetson stated in an email to The Paly Voice.