Professional pumpkin carving and carving contests are a hot item in the Brandywine River Valley. The influence of events like the Chadds Ford Great Pumpkin Carve (www.chaddsfordhistory.org/events/pcarve/...) have certainly influenced local interest in fantastically carved pumpkins. Longwood Gardens (www.longwoodgardens.org/) has also boosted its pumpkin displays over the years to include lots of wonderfully carved giants. This year's display is certainly one of the best. Here are just a few of their pumpkins in the 2009 season:

A cheerful monarch butterfly decorates the face of this huge 'Atlantic Giant.'

Easter and Halloween merge with this interesting bunny pumpkin.

All the carved pumpkins are decorated with a cool display of diverse gourds and squash.

Not your typical Jack-o-lantern.

VW pumpkin

Some of the squash on display were amazingly huge! My 6' 4" brother is standing for scale.

This frog themed carving is certainly unusual. It'll be interesting to see how long these sculptural carvings last. As long as the weather stays cool.

These shots offer a small taste of the pumpkins on display this year at Longwood. Check them out if you can!