Pumpkin Carving 101

There is a technique to cutting up your Halloween gourd:

• Step one: The key to carving a pumpkin is simply picking the perfect one. In order to get the desired outcome the pumpkin should not be too ripe, a nice orange color should be apparent along with no bruises or soft spots. No smell should be apparent.
• Step two: Start off by cutting a circle around the top of the pumpkin, with the stem in the center, undamaged. Once this step is complete, set the cut out piece, or the top, aside.
• Step three: Discard the pulp and seeds from the inside. Then go back in with a small scraper or putty knife and get all the excess soft flesh from the inside, make sure not to damage the wall of the pumpkin in the process.
• Step four: Tracing: After the preparation is complete, the next step is to tape the selected stencil to the pumpkin. Make sure the stencil is smooth when applied. After this is complete, use either an ice pick or a pin-point punch awl to carefully poke holes through the stencil. Keep in mind though, the more complex the stencil, the closer the holes should be.
• Step five: When carving, the type of knife makes all the difference. There is no need to grab the handy-dandy machete hanging in the garage, instead, try using something smaller, something easier to maneuver. The perfect utensil is in fact, a X-Acto knife with a #5 knife blade along with a #15 keyhole saw. Use the X-Acto knife for intricate cuts and the saw for longer cuts.

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Explorations Acres Corn Maze

Lose yourself for hours in Exploration Acres giant corn maze. It sprawls over eight miles of cornfield. Those with adventurous spirits have the option to maneuver through the maze after dark. Along with the maze, Exploration Acres offers a five-acre pumpkin patch for finding that perfect pumpkin, hayrides and a pedal car track.

• Where: Exploration Acres, 6042 Newcastle Rd. Lafayette, IN 47905
• When: Friday: 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday: noon to 7 p.m.
• Cost: Ages 6 to 12: $6; ages 13 and up: $9

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Headless Horseman Hayride

Looking for a good scare? Conner Prairie is the place for you

On Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 Conner Prairie will host its 25th annual Headless Horseman hayride. During this event participants ride through the dark forest watching out for skeletons, ghosts and the infamous Headless Horseman. The gates are open for this event from 6 to 9 p.m., and rides run all evening. There are a number of other activities going on before the ride including a puppet show, a bonfire and live music.

• Cost: Presale tickets are available at participating Marsh and O’Malia’s stores for $11; $13 for tickets at the door
• Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd. Fishers, IN 46038
• When: Gates open from 6 to 9 p.m. but rides can run later.