10/20/05 Contact: Jennifer L. Johnson, 334/844-4285 (johnsj1@auburn.edu)
David Granger, 334/844-9999 (grangdm@auburn.edu)

AUBURN UNIVERSITY ANNUAL PUMPKIN CARVE SET FOR OCT. 28

AUBURN – Students from Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction will bring AU’s Dudley Hall courtyard alive with the glow of more than 400 jack-o-lanterns at the 17th annual Pumpkin Carve, set for Oct. 28.

The event, sponsored by the AU chapter of American Institute of Architecture Students, will begin at 9 a.m. with the carving of the pumpkins and last throughout the day. At 6 p.m. the pumpkins will be lit, then judged based on creativity, appearance and craftsmanship by university, civic and business leaders.

“The pumpkin carve has grown from a small student competition to a community event that hundreds of people look forward to every year,” said Dan Bennett, dean of the college. “Each year, I am amazed at the imagination and creativity our students put into carving the pumpkins and look forward to seeing what the students will create at this year’s event.”

Though the carving contest is open only to CADC students, the college encourages the community and other AU students to come out from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to participate in carving.

Other activities for the annual Halloween event include a children’s costume contest, face painting by AU industrial design students and a trick-or-treat visit by Aubie. Several student groups – including the American Society of Landscape Architects, the CADC Ambassadors and community planning students – will have food available, including baked goods, homemade chili and apple cider.

“The pumpkin carve gives families an alternative to trick-or-treating and is great for children of all ages,” said Kathleen Simpson, president of the AIAS. “We look forward to this event every year and appreciate the support given by CADC, Auburn University and the Auburn-Opelika community. We encourage the children to come dressed up with their treat bags in hand for what will be a spectacular and festive night.”

The event is open to the public all day, but visitors are especially encouraged to view the lighting of the pumpkins beginning at 6 p.m.

The College of Architecture, Design and Construction includes programs in architecture, landscape, interior and community planning, industrial design and building science. Dudley courtyard is located between Dudley Hall and Dudley Commons, adjacent to Graves Amphitheatre.

Auburn University is a comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama’s largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

(Contributed by Jennifer Johnson.)

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