All Hallows' Eve

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Midway Village Museum

6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, IL

Enjoy trick-or-treating in the historic village along with other family-friendly activities as this in-person event returns. A new pumpkin carving contest is begin introduced this year with pre-registration. The contest will have various age entries with pre-carved and in-person categories.

$6 per person admission

Museum Members are Free

Admission is included with our new pumpkin carving contest, however to be eligible to participate you must pre-register for the category you wish to enter (pre-carved or in-person at the event entries).

Food and snacks available for purchase. Advance tickets online or at the Museum Gift Store.

Tickets also available at the event gates. You must pre-registration for the pumpkin carving contest. For questions, call 815-397-9112, or caitlin.treece@midwayvillage.com.

Pumpkin Carving Contest Instructions:

Questions about the contest should be directed to Caitlin Treece, Educator, at 815-397-9112, ext. 106 or caitlin.treece@midwayvillage.com.

Option 1: Onsite Pumpkin Carving Challenge

Carving Begins at 1 pm. Judging will begin promptly at 4 pm. Winners will be announced at 5 pm. Must pay event admission fee only, no additional registration or entrance fee.

• Pre-registration required by Wednesday, October 20 at 4pm.

• Participants must be 14 years or older to participate in the free carve; however, each contestant under 18 years must have a signed liability waiver submitted before participation begins.

• Free pumpkins will be available on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last.

• Participants must provide their own tools in the competition.

• Commercial stencils may be used, but handmade stencils and free hand carving will earn more creativity points in the judging.

• Pumpkins are not to be painted or otherwise decorated. Only carved pumpkins are allowed in this category.

• The bottom of all entered pumpkins must be removed so that the pumpkin can be place on top of a light. Do not remove the top.

• Midway Village will provide a non-flame candle to light the pumpkin for judging.

• Inappropriate Pumpkins will be disqualified.

• Prizes will be awarded to the top three places. Winners will be judged on originality of design and overall detail of their finished piece.

Option 2: Pre-Decorated Pumpkin Challenge

Bring your pumpkin to Midway Village between Wednesday, October 20-Friday, October 22. Pumpkins may also be dropped off at the ticket gates on Saturday, October 23 from 12 pm-2 pm. Judging will begin at 2 pm. There will be one winner in each category, announced at 5 pm. All other entrants will receive a participation prize. Entries will be judged on design, detail, originality and creativity. The score will be tabulated 50% of the judges score, and 50% of the popular votes collected between 2 pm -4 pm. Each visitor to the event receives 1 vote per age group. There is no additional registration fee, but you must pay admission fee to the event.

• Pumpkins may be painted, carved, or decorated in other ways.

• Adults are welcome to help children, particularly to ensure safety, but in the spirit of the contest, please ensure the entry is primarily done by the child.

• Entries must not exceed 2 feet high, 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep.

• Entries must have the bottoms removed to be placed over a non-flame candle.

• Entries must be submitted with a card with name, address, phone number/email, and age group, along with a photo of the pumpkin in case the card is separated from the pumpkin accidently.

• Pumpkins must be family friendly. Scary designs are fine, but please do not incorporate any violent or sexually suggestive elements. Organizers reserve the right to refuse any entry deemed inappropriate.

• All pumpkins must be removed after the event or they will be disposed of.

Age Categories

Pre-K to 5 years

6-9 years

10-12 years

13-18 years

Prizes

Onsite:

1st Place: $75 Restaurant Gift Certificate

2nd Place: $50

3rd Place: $25

Offsite:

1st Place in each age group receives a Sock Monkey and 1st Place Ribbon

Please direct all question related to the Pumpkin Carving Contest to Caitlin Treece, Museum Educator, at 815-397-9112, ext. 106 or caitlin.treece@midwayvillage.com.

Midway Village Museum requires face masks in indoor settings, regardless of COVID vaccination status.