Hey, Pumpkin Lovers, Cut That Out!
By Fern Shen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Looking for pumpkin-carving inspiration? If all you can imagine is the same old triangle-eyed, jaggedy-mouthed jack-o'-lantern, then you'd better head over to the annual Halloween display put on by the Holtorf Pumpkin Carving Association in Vienna.

These people are to pumpkin carving what Michael Phelps is to swimming, what Rembrandt is to painting, what SpongeBob is to cartoon comedy.

For the past 20 years, they have been carving incredible scenes into pumpkins: a giant squid attacking a submarine, a wave washing over Japan's Mount Fuji, a Model T truck, the faces of King Tut, George Washington, George Bush and Scooby-Doo.

"I can't really explain why we do this. It's just a lot of fun and it brings the community together," said Roger Holtorf, who, with his wife, Jane, sponsors the annual free show along the driveway of his Vienna home.

Every year, thousands of visitors go to 2328 Trott Ave. to check out as many as 200 fantastic pumpkins, carved by the Holtorfs and friends from around the country.

There's a kids' corner with carvings of ... kid-friendly characters. And be sure to check out Red Cloud, a talking pumpkin who addresses most of his comments to kids.