Barracuda holding Great Pumpkin Carving Contest

A new Grove event is taking shape and hopefully will become one of our signature yearly events. While Coconut Grove Halloween is wild and crazy every year, a pumpkin carving contest has never been part of the mix.

Barracuda Bar and Grill on Fuller Street is holding it's 2nd annual Great Pumpkin Carving Contest on Friday, October 29, a couple of days before Halloween. Fuller Street will be turned into a block party from 7 to 11 pm. There will be music, food, drinks and lots of fun. The Robby Hunter Band will perform live. Last year, Brian Davis, of Barracuda, put up a flyer a few days before and half a dozen people showed up with their carved pumpkins. This year's event will be a large extravaganza.

It's a family event and perfect for all ages. Jack-o-lanterns will be brought to the event and put on display and judged, they should be created ahead of time and brought completed and ready to be seen and judged, so you have time to create your pumpkin on your own time.

10% of all proceeds raised from beer sales will go to the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative in Village West. Merline Barton, represented the Initiative at a recent meeting at the BID office. You may remember that she is up for a large General Mills award by the cereal maker. Deadline for that is October 21 and you may vote for Merline as a local hero here.

You can register at the event or pre-register at Barracuda Bar and Grill for all events that night. You must be at Barracuda and registered by 8 pm on the night of the event for all events. Bring your pumpkin already to be judged on the night of the event.

Also, contestants must be 18 to enter contest. No knives at event. Pumpkins must be carved and hollowed out. Painting is allowed. Multiple gourds can be used. Any gourd can be used. Organic material can be used for decoration. Lighting from inside is encouraged.

All pets must be there by 8 pm and ready to go. Pet handlers must be 18 or older. Pets must be people friendly.

Halloween costume contest is for adults 18 and older. Must be there by 8 pm to enter contest.

A $10 donation for each of the events is suggested, but not required.

For more info, please stop by Barracuda at 3035 Fuller Street, or call 305-448-1144.