Los Alamos Arts Council Board Member Steven Bublitz hangs out with a friend to promote Pumpkin Glow Monday afternoon at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
The Los Alamos Arts Council has been delighting the town with Pumpkin Glow since 2004. Pumpkin Glow took a break for COVID and then was combined with the Scarecrow contest last year, but now the full event is back, but with a twist. This year’s event is in White Rock!
“The Arts Council wants to bring more events to White Rock and this was the perfect opportunity, Board Member Steven Bublitz said. “Kiwanis is doing a fireworks display the evening of Oct. 29 at Overlook Park in conjunction with the Pumpkin Glow.”
Los Alamosans will remember Bublitz as the honorary Great Pumpkin of the attempt in 2019 to break the Guinness Book’s record of 1,060 pumpkins all carved at once. He spearheaded the effort and was its chief cheerleader. We missed the record by 32 pumpkins, Bublitz said, and he is itching to try again.
This free event, also sponsored by Los Alamos County, begins at 4 p.m. with music, various vendors, games, food and more. Starting at 6 p.m., Pumpkin Glow will be open for viewing and at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks begin.
“We’re going to spread out the pumpkins more than we have in the past, so people can move through them easily,” Bublitz said.
Attendees are encouraged to either walk to Overlook Park or ride the Atomic City Transit Bus, from the White Rock Visitor Center, or from Sullivan Field, in Los Alamos. ACT Assist also will be available for the event, for those who are not able to utilize the regular bus service.
Parking is limited within Overlook Park and is available for handicapped residents.
“I love Pumpkin Glow,” Bubltz said. “The Arts Council is celebrating creativity through this medium. It’s all about connecting people in our town and enjoying creativity. It’s a magical night.”
The Los Alamos Arts Council will hold its Pumpkin Carving Party 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 29 on the patio of Smith’s Marketplace in Los Alamos. The community is invited to bring their pumpkin and carve Jack o-Lanterns together with family and friends. One hundred free pumpkins will be provided by Smith’s on a first come, first served basis. Carving tools and templates will be provided.
The Arts Council will transport the finished Jack-o-Lanterns to White Rock for display at the Pumpkin Glow event.
Those unable to participate in the carving party may still display their pumpkin at the Pumpkin Glow. Jack-o-Lanterns for the Pumpkin Glow may be dropped off 1-4 p.m. at Overlook Park, participants will receive a pass at the gate. After the Glow and Show event, participants may pick up their pumpkins to take home, any left behind will be composted.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a master carver,” Bublitz said. “Carving is for all ages and any theme that you want to carve from historical events to scary stuff is fine.”
“Engaging people in the arts is our mission at the Los Alamos Arts Council,” he said. To learn more visit losalamosartscouncil.org
