Award-winning pumpkin carver returns to Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — After carving up competition on three Food Network shows, master pumpkin carver Lincoln Bias returns to his hometown to show off a new exhibit.

Bias has been on Food Network’s “Halloween Wars.” “The Road to Halloween,” which aired this past September, and “Outrageous Pumpkins,” in 2022.

Bias is a three-time gold medalist with the National Black Chef Association as well. He started carving pumpkins six years ago after becoming a professional fruit carver.

“We’re excited to welcome Lincoln to Eerie Autumn Lights, where his extraordinary talent will truly elevate the event,” said Alex Mills, Executive Director of Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden. “This is a unique opportunity for our community to witness an amazing live carving experience, and we can’t wait to see everyone come together to celebrate the season in such a spectacular way.”

The pro carver is thrilled to be back home, interacting with spectators and working outside. He said he always enjoys the challenge of making art on a canvas full of imperfections.

“The thing is, when you’re carving a pumpkin, you kind of have to be the pumpkin whisperer, as well as an artist,” said Bias. “Cause a lot of times there’s imperfections, there’s soft spots, there’s hard spots. So you kind of learn to move and work and adjust on the fly.”

Bias will be at Khlem Arboretum and Botanic Garden from October 17th through the 19th, carving Rockford’s largest pumpkin during the Eerie Autumn Lights event.

He will be joined by other master carvers Carli Ihde and Alan Silva.

To buy tickets for this event visit Klehm Arboretum’s website .

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