Haunted Pumpkin Garden

The Haunted Pumpkin Garden at the New York Botanical Garden is a delightful jaunt through a world of artfully altered pumpkins. Currently on exhibition from September 20th through October 31st, the NYBG’s third annual Haunted Pumpkin Garden is a Halloween-themed spook-fest that shows off some wildly creative jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin based creations from acclaimed artists and sculptors such as Ray Villafane. (By Jason Burgos)

These specially crafted Funkins (foam pumpkins) by Ray Villafane bring a unique feel to the trail they are displayed on.

The Everett Children’s Adventure Garden also allows children to watch pumpkin seeds sprout in their very own germination chamber, to scavenger hunts for fall fruits and to search for worms in rotted out logs. Other activities for children include playing in a Pumpkin House, reading spooky stories, and taking part in costume parades that travel throughout the Children’s Adventure Garden.

The Spooky Night Time Adventures trail walk should make this beautiful gourd-based spider a fright-fest for the kiddies.

On the 18th and 19th, master pumpkin carvers put their abilities on show for visitors to marvel at.

This exhibition shows off to the world the artistic talents of several artists and their pumpkin carving techniques.

Villafane’s pumpkin carving came to notoriety after he won the Food Network’s 2007 Challenge Show, Outrageous Pumpkins.

A spooky bat perched on the specially made “Pumpkin House” won't be the only bat at this event as a real Rodrigues bat will be presented at the Gone Batty! Bat Encounter event on the weekend of the 11th.

Carving is not always necessary to turn a normal pumpkin into a frightful work of art.