Carefree Truth
Issue #782, October 25, 2019
Issue #782, October 25, 2019
Fifth Annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden
Tthrough Sunday, Oct. 27
Ray Villafane and the carvers from Villafane Studios work tirelessly each year to create new and whimsical stories, and this year is no exception. The Gardens abound with more vignettes, more activities, more food vendors and bigger pumpkins than ever before!
Keep reading for what's new, and visit the website for times and event schedules.
And be sure to pick up your copy of the "Daily Smash" at the entry gates!
Tthrough Sunday, Oct. 27
Ray Villafane and the carvers from Villafane Studios work tirelessly each year to create new and whimsical stories, and this year is no exception. The Gardens abound with more vignettes, more activities, more food vendors and bigger pumpkins than ever before!
Keep reading for what's new, and visit the website for times and event schedules.
And be sure to pick up your copy of the "Daily Smash" at the entry gates!
The mice of Voodoo Springs are so mischievous! With all of the new events and attractions this year, it’s been harder to keep them in line – all the new activities are making it much easier for them to hide! All week, they have been wreaking havoc on the Gardens, and now they have escaped to the ticket booths, and changed all of our signs.
Beginning Friday through Sunday,
admission to the Gardens will be:
$7 for kids 3-12 years old
$12 for 13+
Two and under are FREE!
For our Groupon users – no need to fret! The mice left tickets in the booth worth $5 off at any of the Gardens food trucks, food vendors or snack carts to feed the kiddos under 12!
Those pesky critters look forward to seeing you this weekend for sure!
Beginning Friday through Sunday,
admission to the Gardens will be:
$7 for kids 3-12 years old
$12 for 13+
Two and under are FREE!
For our Groupon users – no need to fret! The mice left tickets in the booth worth $5 off at any of the Gardens food trucks, food vendors or snack carts to feed the kiddos under 12!
Those pesky critters look forward to seeing you this weekend for sure!
The godfather of pumpkin carving, Ray Villafane, scours the WORLD to bring the best carvers in the business to Carefree for this event. If you love pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and anything Halloween, you will not find a more creative and artistic group
ANYWHERE! This year’s extraordinarily talented carving line-up includes:
Ray Villafane - Arizona
Brandy Davis – Idaho
Deane Arnold – Ohio
Dmitry Klimenko – Russia
Ilya Filimontsev – Russia
Sue Beatrice – New York
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
The experience in the Gardens this year is like no other year! Included with your admission is Shemmick the Clown's Circus show, Grammy Iris' Playhouse, Witchy Readers, as well as variety of new and interactive photo opportunities and much more! And of course, PLENTY of pumpkins!
Costume Contests
Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion Main Stage
Saturday, Oct. 26: 2 p.m. – Kids Costume Contest
Saturday, Oct. 26: 3 p.m. – Adult Costume Contest
Sunday, Oct. 27: 2 p.m. – Pet Costume Contest,
sponsored by Bosco's Biscuits
Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion Main Stage
Saturday, Oct. 26: 2 p.m. – Kids Costume Contest
Saturday, Oct. 26: 3 p.m. – Adult Costume Contest
Sunday, Oct. 27: 2 p.m. – Pet Costume Contest,
sponsored by Bosco's Biscuits
Dress to impress in your Halloween finest and join us for our annual Costume Contests! The audience and a team of judges will determine which goblins and ghosts have “scared-up” a worthy costume for themselves this year.
All contests are based on crowd participation, so bring your family, friends, enemies, pets – whomever you can “dig up” for your cheering section to join the fun! The contest is open to both original/handmade or store bought costumes.*
*Please be aware that this is a family-friendly event and any costumes which may be considered vulgar or inappropriate may be disqualified at the discretion of the venue or event staff.
All contests are based on crowd participation, so bring your family, friends, enemies, pets – whomever you can “dig up” for your cheering section to join the fun! The contest is open to both original/handmade or store bought costumes.*
*Please be aware that this is a family-friendly event and any costumes which may be considered vulgar or inappropriate may be disqualified at the discretion of the venue or event staff.
Pumpkin Pie Eating Contests
Sanderson Lincon Pavilion Main Stage
Sunday, Oct. 28: 1 p.m., Kids; 1:30 p.m., Adults
The most fun you can have with your hands behind your back! Join us for one of our most popular competitions, and COME HUNGRY!
Kids: under 10 years old
Kids: 10 – 17 years old
Adults: 18+
First come, first served! Prizes include special pumpkin merchandise “goodie bags” and year-long bragging rights!
Sponsored by Venues Café
Sanderson Lincon Pavilion Main Stage
Sunday, Oct. 28: 1 p.m., Kids; 1:30 p.m., Adults
The most fun you can have with your hands behind your back! Join us for one of our most popular competitions, and COME HUNGRY!
Kids: under 10 years old
Kids: 10 – 17 years old
Adults: 18+
First come, first served! Prizes include special pumpkin merchandise “goodie bags” and year-long bragging rights!
Sponsored by Venues Café
Enjoy performances from the talented young performers from Rock the District on the Community Stage all weekend! And don't miss our Headline Bands on the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion stage!
Access to the Haunted Happenings family fun zone, featuring a Haunted House, petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games and inflatables is INCLUDED in the wristband price! Carnival games and face painting are an additional charge.
Event times vary - visit the Haunted Happenings page for more information.
Event times vary - visit the Haunted Happenings page for more information.
Desert Foothills YMCA special (and adorable!) Adopt-a-Pumpkin Patch. All proceeds raised during the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden from the sales directly benefit the YMCA.
The Jack-o-Lantern Beer Garden, operated by Sonoran Arts League, is their largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds providing veterans and students with art opportunities in the Desert Foothills area.This year's beer garden features a fine selection of Fall craft brews, provided by Four Peaks Brewery. Not a beer drinker? We've got you covered with red and white wine.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
In addition to Carefree’s many fine restaurants, a variety of food trucks and culinary vendors will be on hand to satisfy every craving!
Big Papa Concessions
Fabulous Food
Firehouse Kettle Corn Shack
Indonesian Satay
Mike's Chicago Dogs
Munch Box AZ
The Original Berrie Kabobs
Wok Sticks
Big Papa Concessions
Fabulous Food
Firehouse Kettle Corn Shack
Indonesian Satay
Mike's Chicago Dogs
Munch Box AZ
The Original Berrie Kabobs
Wok Sticks
Our always popular Harvest Marketplace showcases a variety of vendors offering Halloween and fall-themed wares. Admission to the Marketplace is FREE! Located down Ho Hum Road, just south of Historic Spanish Village.
