Jack-o’-lanterns? Not this year. Pumpkins take on a new art form at Creekside Gardens in its first Pumpkin Walk.

Rather than presenting its usual Pumpkin House full of jack-o’-lanterns, the Tunkhannock gardening mecca this year has arranged hundreds of pumpkins and gourds in patterns and mosaics and also painted pumpkins by hand for a new fall attraction.

“The feedback that we’re getting just from the pumpkins themselves is very exciting because we’re like, ‘Wow, wait until they see them arranged in these designs,’ ” said Sherri Kukuchka, who owns Creekside Gardens with her husband, Kevin. “(There are) displays on our front porch; we have a big bin of orange, a big bin of yellow and a big bin of green. Seeing them like that is very beautiful, but I think because of the response to the pumpkins themselves that folks seeing them arranged will enjoy them a lot.”

Guests are encouraged to come in costume to Creekside, located at 4 Village Lane, Tunkhannock, and walk through the decorated fields. The outdoor event is open rain or shine Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Admission costs $9 for ages 4 and older and is free for children 3 and younger. Tickets are available in advance through the Pumpkin Walk page on Eventbrite; in-person tickets are limited.

 

Kukuchka expects the event to be popular because it appeals to all ages and has a diverse array of pumpkins and gourds. Kukuchka said guests love the different kinds of colors and shapes of gourds and pumpkins.

Although Creekside pivoted to the Pumpkin Walk this year because of crowd restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic, it carried over one activity from past Pumpkin Houses: a scavenger hunt. Upon entry, children will get a card with three pumpkins to look for while they check out the site. Kukuchka said this activity is for not only children but also adults.

“It’s for everyone. The adults have always enjoyed ‘I Spy,’” Kukuchka said. “We heard from the adults over the years, (saying), ‘You really look at all the creations when you’re looking for certain pumpkins,’ which is cool. … We expanded on it for the Pumpkin Walk.”

Contact the writer: gfitzpatrick@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127