<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=32Wd6T_0wE0Eeq400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=32Wd6T_0wE0Eeq400" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>People view carved pumpkins at Penn State’s annual Pumpkin Fest in the Arboretum on Saturday Oct. 19, 2024, in University Park, Pa. Megan Miller</figcaption></figure>Penn State students and families alike gathered at the Arboretum’s H.O. Botanical Gardens for the annual Pumpkin Fest on Friday and Saturday.The festival brought all age groups together with fun activities, live music and fall-themed food during Penn State Family Weekend.The pumpkins were judged on Friday for the best carvings and displayed for family and friends to admire or have a good laugh at.“Everyone has their favorites – the fairy house one was cool, and the popcorn pumpkin was really, really good,” Stacia Gregule said.Volunteer Giulia Cuppoletti “loved” looking at the youngest and oldest age groups entered in the contest because those pumpkins are always the funniest to her.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2kXo7J_0wE0Eeq400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2kXo7J_0wE0Eeq400" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Kids decorate mini pumpkins at Penn State’s annual Pumpkin Fest in the Arboretum on Saturday Oct. 19, 2024, in University Park, Pa. Megan Miller</figcaption></figure>The event seemed to have a similar fall feel for everyone.“It’s giving pumpkin,” Cuppoletti, a fourth-year studying computer science, said.Although the carved pumpkins were the main attraction, there was so much more to see than “the crazy lineup.”“The Arboretum is just so expansive,” Gregule, a fourth-year studying cybersecurity analytics and operations, said. “It’s just cool to walk around with everything set up.”Samantha Bye said Pumpkin Fest had “something for everyone.”“It’s cute, (there’s) good food, apple cider, what’s not to like?” Bye, a fourth-year studying English, said. “It’s fun just hanging out with your friends.”Students called the Arboretum especially “aesthetic” and “stunning” this time of year.“The Arboretum is especially nice during the fall,” Sarah Landauer said. “People should come to these events and see how beautiful it is.”Student Luci Scarpello said she loved the weather, the flowers and the pumpkins for the festival. The event even gave her a “hometown” feel.“I love seeing all the families here, it’s a break from all the college craziness,” Scarpello, a second-year studying immunology and infectious disease, said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Jvm6K_0wE0Eeq400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Jvm6K_0wE0Eeq400" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Pumpkins carved by Penn State students during the annual pumpkin carving contest sit upon hay bales at the Pumpkin Festival taking place at the Arboretum on Tuesday, Oct. 18 2024, in University Park, Pa. Emma Lessick</figcaption></figure>She’s not the only student who loves to see a family-oriented activity on campus.Cuppoletti said she wanted to volunteer for Pumpkin Fest to see family and friends get together and have fun.“It’s good to have (Pumpkin Fest) during Family Weekend,” Landauer, a fourth-year studying environmental resource management, said. “It’s an opportunity for families to have a little fall fun with their college students.”There were numerous activities available such as painting pumpkins, talking to informational tents like Penn State Sustainability, listening to live music and sipping on apple cider.Bye just wanted to “walk around and take in the fresh fall air.”“I really liked looking at all the carved pumpkins – it’s something to see every year,” Cuppoletti said.As everyone walked around the “flower-filled” fall festival, everyone admired the plants and nature offered.“Come to (Pumpkin Fest) – connect with nature,” Scarpello said.MORE LIFESTYLE CONTENT</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

‘It’s giving pumpkin’ | Penn State Arboretum hosts annual Pumpkin Fest

Penn State students and families alike gathered at the Arboretum’s H.O. Botanical Gardens for the annual Pumpkin Fest on Friday and Saturday. The festival brought all age groups together with fun activities, live music and fall-themed food during Penn State Family Weekend. The pumpkins were judged on Friday for...