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Davis Journal

Farmington man takes carving pumpkins to a whole new level

Oct 17, 2024 10:44AM ● By Becky Ginos

Visitors marvel at a display of pumpkins carved with well-known characters like Taylor Swift or Disney and Halloween scenes. Courtesy photos

Ken Klinker started carving pumpkins like everyone else at Halloween with the typical triangle eyes and toothy smile. Then it mushroomed into a full blown display of more than 400 pumpkins, some carved with well-known characters like Jack Sparrow and Taylor Swift. Klinker has a large display in his yard but he will also have one at Farmington City Hall starting next week, Oct. 21-25.

“I started carving 22 years ago,” said Klinker. “I found a book with carvings and started using that to carve real pumpkins. They got more and more intricate. It would take me four to five hours to carve.”

Klinker said eventually he carved Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean). “That took four to five hours and then I had to just throw it away. I would carve 20-30 real pumpkins for the display but that would only last two to three days or they’d rot. I saw some carved foam pumpkins and realized I could use those again.”

He would carve the foam pumpkins throughout the month, said Klinker. “The display got bigger and bigger every year. There are 420 pumpkins in my display.”

Klinker said he gets his ideas and patterns from a couple of websites. “Stoneykins.com has 1,500 patterns and a lot of tutorials on how to carve them. I also use Zombiepumpkins.com and I do a search on Google for silhouettes. I find what looks cute and stick the pattern on the pumpkin and carve it.”

Using a Dremel, Klinker said he can use small drill bits. “This allows me to cut it all the way through or part way to get detail. It makes different glows and different looks if you don’t cut it all the way through.”

To get the pattern off, he soaks the pumpkin in water, said Klinker. “I’ve created shelving systems with nine pumpkins per shelf. I light them up with Christmas lights. It makes six high rows with nine pumpkins on each. I’m taking 100 to City Hall.”

It originally started when Klinker was working for the city. “I would bring a whole pumpkin patch in. When I retired I set it up in my yard. They called and asked me if I’d bring some over.”

He also has patterns on Etsy. “It’s an expensive hobby so this helps pay for it.”

Klinker said he tries to have a little bit for everybody. “I have Disney, sports logos, Halloween scenes, the Munster family, the seven dwarfs and over two shelves of Harry Potter characters. I try to please as many people as I can.”

The display is unique to Utah, he said. “Most displays are like haunted houses, tall skeletons and tombstones. I don’t think I’ve seen a display with walls of pumpkins. If you drive by my house it’s a unique experience.”

He adds 15-20 pumpkins a year. “I do this so people can enjoy the artwork I create,” said Klinker. “I get the joy of seeing people’s reaction when they look at the pumpkins.”

The display is from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 21-25 in the Farmington City Hall Community Room, 160 Main Street. Admission is free but donations of food items for the Bountiful pantry or encouraged. To see Klinker’s yard display drive by 1288 S. Cannon Drive, Farmington.λ