LEXINGTON, Ky. — Locally sourced pumpkins were carved for Transylvania University’s Pumpkinmania, an annual Halloween celebration that takes place on the historic central Kentucky campus.
What You Need To Know
- Visitors at Transylvania University carve pumpkins at Pumpkinmania for the annual day of Halloween fun
- Hundreds of pumpkins are sourced from Black Soil, one of Kentucky’s only Black-owned farms
- Jack-o’-lanterns will remain lit for over five nights
City workers, businesses and more helped the university welcome families back to the historic steps of the Old Morrison building.
From students and volunteers to parents and kids, groups worked together making spooky creations. Set up along the side lawn were tables with tools, designs and treats for families to use.
Campus organizations and others like Transy’s American Chemical Society and Tri Delta are looking to connect directly with kids in the community.
Tri Delta handed out free apple cider and hot chocolate. Director of philanthropy Kinley Lewis said they were glad to be taking part.
“I’m a sophomore, so this is the first time the entire Transy community has been here, so it’s amazing to be able to represent our chapter [and] represent campus,” Lewis said. “The girls behind me, we’re all so involved in campus, regardless. Beyond just Tri Delta, Saint Jude, that’s amazing just to see the entire of Lexington’s community here.”
Transylvania university president Brien Lewis said the leftover pumpkins will be picked up and used by local farmers to feed farm animals.
“We’ve been working with a local organization called Black Soil, so they will collect those and they will distribute them to local farmers who will use them to feed their livestock.” Lewis said.
The pumpkins that families carved for the event will be lit starting Oct. 23 for five nights. Transylvania is celebrating 12 years of the annual jack-o’-lantern ceremony this year.