Delhi Township’s annual Pumpkin Carving Contest has wrapped up submissions, with winners set to be announced in the coming days as the community celebrates a holiday that already defines its character. The contest, organized by the Delhi Charter Township Parks and Recreation Department, represents the department’s ongoing effort to create meaningful opportunities for community engagement through special events and programs.
“Halloween is such a big time in the Township, you can witness it just driving through neighborhoods seeing houses decorated,” explains Tim Tilma, Delhi Charter Township Recreation Coordinator. “The idea of a pumpkin carving contest gives us a chance to celebrate the creativity of our community in a fun way.”
Last year’s inaugural contest exceeded expectations, with submissions that impressed the selection committee. “The variety and depth of submitted pumpkins were amazing!” Tilma recalls. This year’s contest has once again drawn impressive submissions, building on the success that made the first contest so memorable.
The judging criteria reflects the contest’s community-first approach. For children’s entries, the emphasis is on effort, creativity, and those special touches that show a young carver poured their heart into the project. Adult submissions, meanwhile, are evaluated for their unique qualities alongside technical skill and artistic vision. “For older, more experienced carvers, we would be expecting a good balance of all artistic traits,” Tilma notes.
A small selection committee made up of Township employees reviews all submissions, with each member bringing their enthusiasm for the holiday rather than professional expertise. “We’re certainly not professionals, but good enough to identify a good pumpkin carving when we see one,” Tilma says. Fortunately, the committee hasn’t faced any tie-breaker situations yet, though Tilma admits they would hate to choose between two equally impressive pumpkins.
The contest represents more than just a seasonal activity; it’s another way the Parks and Recreation Department helps strengthen the community bonds that already make Delhi Township special. “Delhi Township community spirit is already defined by the way we celebrate our holidays,” Tilma explains. “The more we can impact and give opportunities for the community to get involved around our existing holiday events, the more our spirit will shine.”
For information about the winner announcement and future Parks and Recreation events, contact the Delhi Charter Township Parks and Recreation Department or visit their events page https://www.delhitownshipmi.gov/402/Community-Events