Local resident Jerry Stubblefield is offering a whimsical Halloween scene in his neighborhood and is hoping to encourage others to participate in creating Pumpkin People.
“I was in a little town in Rhode Island driving through to see the fall leaves two to three years ago,” said Stubblefield. “While in this community, I saw Pumpkin People. Everybody was doing it. There were Pumpkin People everywhere. There were no ghouls, no ghosts, no goblins, no monsters.”
Pumpkin People are simple and easy to make. Gather unwanted clothes – overalls, long-sleeved shirts and blouses are ideal to use because, once stuffed, the resulting dummies look remarkably lifelike. Using PVC pipe and filler material, such as straw, leaves, rags, or wads of crumpled newspaper, build the bodies. Carve a pumpkin or paint one for the head. If needed, use a metal fence post, tree or other item to hold it upright.
Stubblefield says the ones he saw in Rhode Island appeared to be squash-headed copies of the people who lived in the houses.
“If the house had dad, mom, grandparent and a couple of children, you would have five Pumpkin People,” he said. “They reflected the people who lived in the house. If the dad liked hunting, his would be dressed in hunting gear. If the children were into sports, they would be dressed in sports apparel. One was an elderly lady sitting on a bale of hay reading a book. Obviously, that told a lot about her. There were no scary Pumpkin People. It was all fun stuff about the family.”
Going with that idea, the two he constructed are of himself and his wife, Brenda.
“As you can see, I have the rake in my hand. I’m doing all the work. My wife is supervising,” said Stubblefield, with a laugh.
Stubblefield said his wife is supposed to be holding a garden tool too.
“Actually, the pole in her hand was supposed to look like a hoe, but it just looks like a stick. I tell people I’m doing all the work.”
Pumpkin People are popular in other parts of the country. Jackson, New Hampshire is marking its 27th annual “Return of the Pumpkin People” this year. The community offers maps for self-guided tours of properties who have put together fascinating displays. Ballots are given to allow onlookers to vote for people’s choice.
A contest such as the one above is something Stubblefield hopes a business or organization in Warren County latches onto for next year.
“I wouldn’t win any contest with mine, but people can get really creative with this idea,” Stubblefield says. “It would be wonderful if a business, like the Southern Standard, would get behind a contest for next year. It’s a fun thing to do and it doesn’t cost a lot of money. People seem to really enjoy mine. They slow down and look. One woman stopped and took pictures.”
If you want to view Stubblefield’s display, he lives in Hickory Hills subdivision on Hickory Boulevard.