Lots of work, creativity behind Kentville Pumpkin People Festival

A population of orangeheaded creatures magically appear all over Kentville as October approaches.

Kentville Parks and Recreation maintenance worker Gerald Little is responsible for much of the apparent magic. The truth is that a lot of hard work, time and creativity go into the annual Pumpkin People Festival. He started helping the town with the Pumpkin People displays 17 years ago.

“I would say the hardest part that involves the most work would have to be actually putting the people out, driving the stakes in the ground,” Little said.

They put out about 300 Pumpkin People, which means driving 300 six-foot stakes in the ground. Another town employee, Harry Lenihan, builds the bodies. It usually takes two to three weeks of work.

Although there’s lots of creativity involved, Little is always up to the challenge. Last year’s theme was Lego, which involved cutting out 2,000 to 3,000 circles to make the Lego pieces appear realistic.

But, he says, it’s all worth it when he sees cars stopped along the streets to take in the displays. Little reminds people to be cautious and patient due to the traffic generated.

Little has talked with people from across Canada and around the globe that come to see Pumpkin People. He said a conservative estimate of annual visitors would be in the tens of thousands

“I’ve talked to a lady that came all the way from Scotland to visit her daughter - she makes sure it’s October that she comes (because) she’s over to see the Pumpkin People too,” Little said.

One thing that has changed over the years is the durability of the display props. For example, kids can sit inside the helicopter to have their photo taken.

“I think a lot of people really, really enjoy that,” he said.

A helping hand

Little, who has just gotten back to work following an injury, got a little family help with this year’s props. His nephew, Richard Little, is a member of the town’s public works depart-

ment, and Little said it was a “heaven send” to have the help. They’ve been able to do twice the work as a result.

Richard said this was the first time he helped with the props and there was a lot of time and effort involved. Getting to work with his uncle on the project was quite enjoyable and gave him a chance to do something different. He built a tank, police car, jet, mini bikes, a deer and a dog.

“Each one’s different,” he said in regard to the time and effort required. “The tank was around a week and two to three days on some of the medium sized ones. The small ones? A day usually.”

They work off pictures and employ creativity. There’s a lot of “scratching your head,” he adds, but they get it done.

Trademarked by the town, the Pumpkin People have become synonymous with Kentville. Community and Economic Development co-ordinator Lindsay Young said this year’s theme, “Pumpkin People At Your Service,” is a way to thank and celebrate all the groups and organizations that serve the community, “especially those who keep Kentville safe, healthy, active, beautiful and vibrant.”

The festival kick- off coincided with Harvest Fest in Centre Square on Oct. 1, which included a workshop on how to make Pumpkin People. The town displays stay up until Oct. 30.