By Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – At the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, this Saturday, Oct. 11 is Free Admission Day. Then on Oct. 28 there is a Pumpkin Palooza Carved & Painted Pumpkin Contest, which will encourage children and adults to test their Halloween creativity. Palooza admission will be $1 and is free to contestants and anyone wearing a costume. Light refreshments will be served.
The Customs House Museum is located downtown at 200 South Second Street.
On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., children, as always, will find a world of playful fun in the Explorers’ Gallery. There they will discover a variety of games, a wooden train set, a zoo set, the McGregor’s Market grocery store, puzzles, raceways, books and more. Then there is the Bubble Cave, where children learn about bubbles, caves and sink holes through play.
Parents can enjoy seeing the many exhibits on view, including the creative assemblages in the show “Aletha Carr: New Connections.” Her works consist of an array of unexpected objects such as action figures, vintage hardware, marbles and electronics.
The creative assemblages of artist Aletha Carr can be viewed this Saturday, Oct. 11, during Free Admission Day, as well as on other days through Oct. 31.
The Pumpkin Palooza Carved & Painted Pumpkin Contest will occur from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28. There are two categories for the contest: Painted and carved pumpkins. Each category will be judged in two age groups: 10 to 17 for a $3 entry fee and 18 and older for a $5 entry fee. Contestants must drop off their pumpkins on Oct. 24 and 25 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Those who wish to enter the contest can contact the museum for the Pumpkin Contest Entry Form by calling 931-648-5780. The form must be turned in with the pumpkin.
Pumpkins will be judged, in particular, on how the carving on each one looks in a dark room and lit by an LED light inside. Carving skills and overall attractiveness will also be factors. Ribbons and awards will be presented during the Pumpkin Palooza event.
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.