A pumpkin family sits on Karin Neu's lawn, resting in large wooden lawn chairs after a long day harvesting the crop. Father Jacob, mother Emily and little son Sam are three new additions to Neu's front lawn, and they're getting a lot of attention.
"It's such a hoot to see the cars drive by, stop and slowly drive back for a second look," said Neu of her pumpkin art.
Making pumpkin people has been a tradition for Neu every since she saw the fall art form displayed in Kentfield, N.S.
"The fall there is incredible. They are mass producers of pumpkins, so they came up with this way of displaying pumpkins with different themes," said Neu.
In Kentfield, pumpkins are used to create the faces of brides getting married, horses pulling wagons, lobster fishermen heaving in their traps and families out for an autumn stroll.
"It's become a creative competition there. Basically any theme you can imagine is displayed," said Neu.
Pumpkin people and pumpkin animals are elaborate scarecrows complete with accessories and a perfectly shaped, uncarved pumpkin used as a head.
"That's part of it. You have to use your imagination," said Neu.
The idea first originated with David Lacy, who lives in Hall's Harbour, N.S.
"Originally he just made a display on his front lawn. It soon grew and now it's a competition all over Kentville," said Neu.
She fell in love with the idea and couldn't wait to create pumpkin people once she returned home to Langley from Nova Scotia.
While in Langley, Neu became known for her pumpkin displays. She has created scenes of children climbing trees to pick apples, running through corn fields and playing with the family dog. She's also created a pumpkin horse in the past.
Since moving to the Coast a little over two years ago, Neu has continued the tradition at her home on Grandview Road in Gibsons.
This year her pumpkin family has drawn a lot of attention. Neu says the smiles she sees on people's faces when they discover Jacob, Emily and Sam are priceless. "The kids adore them and the smiles really give me a thrill," she said.
She plans to continue her pumpkin art in the years to come and hopes other people try it too.
