The Enchanted Pumpkin Gardens of Carefree, Arizona

Featuring World Renowned Master Sculptor Ray Villafane

For the last three Octobers the Town of Carefree has literally been enchanted. Gargantuan gourds by the dozens spring to life at the hands of Ray Villafane and his immensely talented team. Luckily for you and all those who find themselves in Arizona this October, the pumpkins will once again smile for, sneer at, and utterly delight all who see them at the ever more popular Enchanted Pumpkin Garden of 2018. The popularity of the original Enchanted Pumpkin Garden has exploded and Ray and his team have gained international acclaim. He’s carved for a president, is a Food Network Champion, and has been praised as “The Michelangelo of pumpkin carving” by none other than Martha Stewart.

Villafane Studios’ one-of-a-kind exhibit will be open to the public and woven through the four acre Carefree Desert Gardens, October 19-28, 2018, from 10am – 9pm (101 Easy Street, Carefree, Az). Over 60,000 visitors are expected to stroll this artistic exhibit during its 10 days in existence. The nights are even more beautiful in Carefree and on any given day or evening you may see Ray Villafane working on a pumpkin masterpiece or running back and forth to his Gallery just a block from the Gardens.

Five talented sculptors make up Villafane’s team in Carefree, and on family carving nights they are available to work with guests and show them the tricks of carving a great pumpkin. The event offers up-close and personal experiences for the entire family. There will be a colossal pumpkin, weighing in at well over 400 pounds that will be transformed and ready for family photo opp fun. Mischievous and whimsical carved characters frolic throughout the garden — creating irresistable enchantment for kids (of all ages) to discover.

And then there are the 3D pickled pumpkin carvings... Just one of the many unique surprises you won’t find anywhere else, are the 3D pumpkin faces preserved and displayed in tanks that resemble a saguaro. One-of-a-kind handcrafted scarecrows that pose playfully about the grounds make a comeback this year as well.

ArizonaKEY.com 27

As if all that wonder and magic are not enough, the Town of Carefree has added a Haunted House this year. In addition, look for the pie eating contest, Adopt-A-Pumpkin patch, witch hat sales & silent auction, corn maze, face painting, a ‘spooktacular’ costume contest, pumpkin arts & crafts, a beer garden and Trunk or Treat for even more fun.

Incredibly, admission for this event is FREE. Every day is different since new pumpkins are carved daily in the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, so visitors tend to return two or three times each season. One thing is certain, an event like this is not to be missed.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden Carefree Desert Gardens October 19-28, 10am – 9pm

Visit CarefreePumpkinGarden.com for daily schedules. 480.488.3686 AZ