1
Before Shot
Show your blank pumpkin before you begin working on it.
The Official Contest Rules
Every legendary pumpkin creation begins with a little imagination—and a few rules. Read these guidelines before submitting your Halloween masterpiece or casting your vote.
1. Participant Eligibility
Participation is limited to individuals whose email addresses have been registered for the contest in advance.
- You must use your registered email address to access submission and voting features.
- Only registered participants may submit a pumpkin.
- Only registered participants may vote.
- You may vote even if you do not submit a pumpkin.
- The public gallery is available to everyone without logging in.
Important: Use the same registered email address throughout the contest. Each email address is associated with one entry and one vote.
2. Pumpkin Entry Requirements
Each participant may have one active pumpkin entry in the contest. Your submission must include:
- Your name (already entered).
- A description of your pumpkin design.
- All five required photographs.
- Confirmation that you have read and accepted the contest rules.
Design Description
Describe your pumpkin creation, its inspiration, theme, or creative approach. The description is required and may contain up to 500 characters.
Your description appears beneath your five-photo carousel when visitors open your entry in the gallery.
Public Display
Submitted entries appear automatically in the public gallery. Each gallery card displays your Atmosphere Shot and your first name with the initial of your last name.
Visitors can open your gallery entry to view all five photographs and read your design description.
3. Required Photographs
Every entry must include exactly five photographs representing the stages of your pumpkin carving/decorating journey.
2
Action Shot
Show yourself actively working on your pumpkin.
3
Completion Shot
Show yourself holding your completed pumpkin.
4
Studio Shot
Photograph your completed pumpkin in normal lighting so its details are clearly visible.
5
Atmosphere Shot
Photograph your completed pumpkin in evening or display lighting to show its Halloween atmosphere.
Image File Requirements
- Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, and WebP.
- Maximum file size:10 MB per photograph.
- All five photographs are required for every submission.
- Upload each photograph in its designated category.
Gallery presentation: Your Atmosphere Shot is used as the gallery thumbnail. Opening your entry displays all five photographs in the required order, beginning with the Before Shot.
4. Updating Your Entry
You may submit an updated version of your pumpkin entry as many times as you wish before voting begins.
Each new submission automatically replaces your previous submission, including:
- Your design description.
- All five photographs.
Updates do not create additional contest entries. Your registered email address remains associated with a single active entry.
Submission deadline: Once voting begins, all submissions and updates close automatically. Entries become final and cannot be changed during or after voting.
5. Voting Rules
Voting opens automatically at the scheduled start time and closes automatically at the scheduled end time.
- Only registered participants may vote.
- Each registered email address receives one vote.
- You may vote without submittinga pumpkin.
- You cannot vote for your own entry.
- Votes are final once submitted and cannot be changed.
- Votes cannot be submitted after the voting deadline.
Choosing Your Favorite
Browse the public gallery to examine the creations, review all five photographs, and read each participant's description. Then visit the voting page to select your favorite eligible entry.
Determining the Winners
Final standings are determined by the total number of valid votes received by each entry.
The entry receiving the most votes ranks first. Entries receiving the same number of votes share the same rank.
Fair voting: The contest database prevents multiple votes from being recorded for the same registered email address.
6. Contest Schedule
All contest deadlines are enforced automatically by the website. Times are displayed in Eastern Time.
Submissions Close / Voting Opens
See the homepage for the current schedule.
Voting Closes
See the homepage for the current schedule.
Results Published
See the homepage for the current schedule.
The website's server determines whether submissions or voting are open. Your computer's clock does not override contest deadlines.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit more than one pumpkin?
Each registered participant may have only one active entry. You may replace that entry any number of times before voting begins.
Can I change my photographs later?
Yes, before voting starts. Submit a complete replacement entry with all five photographs and your updated description. Once voting begins, changes are no longer permitted.
Can I vote if I didn't enter?
Yes. Any registered participant may cast one vote during the voting period, whether or not they submitted a pumpkin.
Can I vote for my own pumpkin?
No. The voting system prevents participants from selecting their own entry.
Can I change my vote?
No. Once your vote has been successfully submitted, it is final.
Does my entry need approval?
No. Valid submissions appear automatically in the public gallery without a separate approval process.
Who can see my photographs?
The gallery is public. Anyone visiting the website can view submitted photographs, your displayed name, and your design description.
What happens if there's a tie?
Entries with the same vote total receive the same rank in the final standings.