Customers at Calgary Farmers’ Market West watched a giant pumpkin turn into a monster on Saturday. Artist Yann Blanchard spent several hours transforming a large gourd to the delight of interested onlookers, part of a weekend doubleheader of carving. He will be carving a second colossal pumpkin, delivered from Taber Fresh Farms, on Sunday at the Farmers’ Market South, off Blackfoot Trail. It isn’t Blanchard’s first giant pumpkin carve -- he carved one several years ago for a UNICEF event and he’s also done several smaller ones over the years. Blanchard left it up to the pumpkin to guide him to the final design. “It’s been fantastic,” Blanchard said. “It’s good for a change to be cozy inside because I (usually) carve ice,” he said. “Right now, we’re making some kind of a a fun monster for the kids, so (a) jack-o’-lantern, kind of a Bajar-Jabba the Hutt mix. “The shape of the pumpkin was very specific,” he added, “so we just did what he was telling us to do.” In addition to ice, Blanchard has carved chocolate and clay. He said pumpkin is much easier. Blanchard will be carving Sunday starting at 11 a.m. at the Farmers’ Market South location. There’s a contest to guess the weight of each colossal pumpkin, as well as a Golden Gourd Hunt, where kids can search for prizes. There’s also a pumpkin decorating station for kids to create their own seasonal masterpieces.
