You’re invited to The Local Store for our annual pumpkin carving contest!
With fun categories for both youth & adults, the whole family can compete! With your help, we will transform our courtyard into a whimsical Jack-O-Lantern Lane with hot apple cider, fresh roasted nuts, theatrical lighting, and tons of Jack-O-Lanterns!
You could win part of $1000 in cash and prizes, and also get your Jack-O-Lantern seen by hundreds, if not thousands of locals checking out, and voting for their favorite pumpkins, store shoppers, and people waiting to ride The Eau Claire Dark History Tour from Chippewa River Trolley!
2026 SCHEDULE
OCT 20 - 22
Carved Pumpkin Drop Off
Your chance at part of $1,000 in cash and prizes!
OCT 23 - 25
Public Voting In Fun Categories
OCT 26 - 31
Pumpkins On Display All Week
WHAT TO EXPECT
• • •
Friday, October 23 through Halloween
- A whole ton of amazing carved pumpkins!
- Theatrical lighting, effects, sound, and more
- Fresh outdoor-roasted glazed nuts for sale including almonds, cashews, and pecans
- Hot apple cider for sale
- Specials and deals inside The Local Store
Examples from Last Year
HOW TO ENTER
• • •
1. Let us know you’re bringing a pumpkin!
Fill out this short form to register ahead and let us know you intend to enter, and that we should hold you a spot.
No need to limit yourself, you can carve more than one! Just let us know how many you’re planning to bring.
If your pumpkin doesn’t work out and you don’t come, no worries!
This form is required to be entered to win prizes.
2. Strategize which category
you’re going for, or just
carve for fun!
Categories in which YOU could win!
- Audience Choice (Adult, 16+)
1st: $200 cash
2nd: $100 store gift card
3rd: $50 store gift card
- Audience Choice (Youth, up to 15 years old)
1st: $100 cash
2nd $50 store gift card
3rd: $25 store gift card
PLUS, $50 Local Store Gift Cards go to the winners of all these fun niche categories:
- Creepiest Carve
- Passionate use of Pumpkin Parts
- Most Gourd-geous Design
- Coolest Eau Claire Carve
- Silliest Squash
AND every winner gets a $25 Gift Experience with the Chippewa River Trolley!
3. Bring your pumpkin to The Local Store.
Drop off anytime between 9am-9pm on October 20 to 22.
We’ll take them all and create a display which will open to the public on October 23.
No need to bring a candle, we’ve got you covered with technology!
4. Get your friends and family to come vote!
Spread the word any way you can to get your supporters to The Local Store October 23-25 to vote for you and their other favorites!
The biggest cash prizes will go to the audience choice winners.
5. Bask in the glow and spread the word.
Pumpkins will stay on display in our courtyard through Oct 31 with prize winners indicated so folks can marvel at the magic of your creative carve!
Tips and Tricks for Success
• • •
1. Keep it Fresh
While our courtyard is cool and out of the sun, to keep pumpkins as fresh as possible through Halloween weekend.
Try and carve your pumpkin as close to the time you drop it off as you can. You can also cover exposed areas of the pumpkins with a light coating of olive oil to help protect against any warm air.
2. Carving Kits
You can always use the traditional Big Kitchen Knife to cut your carve, but we will have both pumpkins and carving kits available for sale at The Local Store for those who need them.
3. Be creative!
Think outside the gourd.
