4 things that make the best Halloween pumpkin.

What makes the best pumpkin? Is it the scare factor? Or perhaps how original it is? As part of an ongoing initiative fostering and promoting a positive community culture, our hardworking staff at First Edition and Novotel Canberra have hand carved and Pimped up Pumpkins for Halloween. This is our guide to making the best Pimped up Pumpkin!

1.     Fresh Pumpkin

To make a high-quality pumpkin, you need to start with a fresh pumpkin. Choose one that’s bright orange throughout and doesn’t have any scratches, bruises or dark spots, unless you want these to feature in your design. Only the locally sourced pumpkins were used for this friendly competition. Just like First Edition uses only the freshest local produce sourced within Australia's capital and surrounding region.

2.     Scare Factor

It’s Halloween of course! Pull out all the stops and carve some scary eyes or get handy with the fake blood as the Engineering team have with their pumpkin, titled “The Dark Night”.

3.     Originality

The best pumpkins are the ones that have some personality. Try incorporating extra decorations like stick-on jewels, fake cobwebs or even motion sensor sound to turn a hollow pumpkin into a truly “gourd” looking piece of art.

4. Preserve the pumpkin

Pumpkins will get moldy, smell and wilt if nothing is done to preserve them. We found the best method was to place the pumpkins in a bath of bleach and water (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) and let them soak for 12-24 hours. This prevented mold from forming and kept them for looking and smelling fresh for the week.

Judge for yourself what makes the best Halloween pumpkin at First Edition’s Pimped Pumpkins. Until 1st November, when you stay at Novotel Canberra or dine at First Edition family-friendly Restaurant & Bar, vote for your favourite pumpkin and you’ll go into the draw to win! Vote on the First Edition Facebook or Instagram page for a chance to win a $50 dining experience at First Edition! Or, try the First Edition menu and vote for the pumpkins in person and go into the draw to win two night stay at Novotel Canberra!

See all the pumpkins here:@firsteditioncanberra or find us on Facebook