Dallas, September 20, 2025
News Summary
Reliant has transformed its traditional gingerbread decorating contest into a pumpkin carving contest, aiming to raise funds for local charities. This shift encourages community involvement, with participants invited to carve pumpkins for charity. One team, in honor of the Dallas Education Foundation, raised $1,000 despite not winning the contest. The change aligns Reliant’s holiday activities with broader community fall events, fostering creativity in themes and charitable contributions. The Old Monk will also host its 20th anniversary charity pumpkin carving event from October 25 to October 31, aiming to engage even more participants this season.
Dallas
Reliant swaps gingerbread contest for pumpkin carving, raising funds for local charities
Reliant is replacing its traditional gingerbread decorating contest with a pumpkin carving contest that invites participation for charity, shifting a long-standing holiday office event toward a fall-themed fundraiser. The change has prompted active community involvement and donations to local causes tied to participating teams.
Key developments
Kathy Wise announced that Reliant is replacing its traditional gingerbread decorating contest with a pumpkin carving contest.
Kathy is a passionate competitor in the gingerbread contest, having won multiple times, including last year, making her the reigning champion.
The email stated that participants are welcomed to join the pumpkin carving contest for charity.
A team including the author and coworker Macey Pieterse created a schoolhouse-themed pumpkin in honor of the Dallas Education Foundation.
Kathy joked about her enthusiasm for “stabbing things for charity,” which motivated her to join the pumpkin carving contest.
The author and Macey brought various materials, including transparent colored plastic sheets and photos of their editorial team, but realized they could have used more tools like thumbtacks and paint pens.
Both authors expressed their distaste for the smell of raw pumpkin during the carving process.
Their pumpkin carving efforts resulted in a $1,000 donation to their charity despite not winning the main contest.
They aim to win an additional $1,000 for the Dallas Education Foundation through the contest’s social media voting segment.
Voting for their schoolhouse pumpkin is open until noon on the upcoming Monday.
The article emphasizes community support for children and local education through participating in the pumpkin carving contest.
An upcoming pumpkin carving charity event at The Old Monk will celebrate its 20th anniversary and runs from October 25 to October 31.
Guests at The Old Monk event can carve pumpkins for a fee of $13, which includes a pint of beer, carving tools, and a pumpkin.
Last year, over 700 pumpkins were carved during The Old Monk’s charity event.
Other pumpkin carving contests are taking place at various locations including Oak St. Drafthouse, Flying Saucer, and Armadillo Ale Works, featuring contests with free participation and prizes.
The Dallas Arboretum continues its tradition of creating stunning pumpkin displays each fall, requiring extensive preparation with over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash on display from September 21 to November 3.
Supporting details and context
The decision by Reliant to shift from a gingerbread decorating format to pumpkin carving aligns the company’s internal holiday activity with broader community fall events and charity drives. The change encouraged teams to think creatively about themes and beneficiaries, and it opened an option for staff who prefer carving over baking to take part in fundraising.
Participants assembled materials and planning for theme-driven pumpkins. One team created a schoolhouse-themed pumpkin specifically in honor of the Dallas Education Foundation, a local nonprofit focused on supporting children and schools. That entry secured a $1,000 donation to the foundation through the contest’s charitable component, even though it did not place as the overall contest winner.
In addition to Reliant’s internal contest, multiple public and private pumpkin-carving events are scheduled around the same period. A notable recurring fundraiser hosted at The Old Monk will mark its 20th anniversary with a week-long program running from October 25 to October 31. Participation at that venue requires a $13 fee and includes a pint of beer, carving tools, and a pumpkin; the event has previously drawn large volunteer participation, with more than 700 pumpkins carved during the prior year’s run.
Other local venues hosting pumpkin carving contests include Oak St. Drafthouse, Flying Saucer, and Armadillo Ale Works, where contests typically offer free participation and award prizes. These coordinated activities contribute to a broader seasonal culture of fall-themed fundraisers and community engagement.
At the same time, the Dallas Arboretum maintains a distinct seasonal tradition that features large-scale pumpkin displays. The arboretum’s annual installation involves more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash and runs from September 21 to November 3, drawing visitors and volunteer support for the elaborate displays and associated programming.
What to watch next
- Social media voting for the schoolhouse-themed pumpkin is open until noon on the upcoming Monday to determine an additional $1,000 award for the Dallas Education Foundation.
- The Old Monk’s charity carving week runs October 25 to October 31, with a $13 participation fee that includes a pumpkin, tools, and a pint of beer.
- Local venues including Oak St. Drafthouse, Flying Saucer, and Armadillo Ale Works will host separate contests offering free entry and prizes.
- The Dallas Arboretum display is on public view from September 21 to November 3 and will feature an extensive collection of more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash.
FAQ
What did Kathy Wise announce?
Kathy Wise announced that Reliant is replacing its traditional gingerbread decorating contest with a pumpkin carving contest.
Has Kathy Wise won the gingerbread contest before?
Kathy is a passionate competitor in the gingerbread contest, having won multiple times, including last year, making her the reigning champion.
Who is encouraged to participate in the new contest?
The email stated that participants are welcomed to join the pumpkin carving contest for charity.
Which team created a schoolhouse-themed pumpkin and why?
A team including the author and coworker Macey Pieterse created a schoolhouse-themed pumpkin in honor of the Dallas Education Foundation.
What motivated Kathy to join the pumpkin carving contest?
Kathy joked about her enthusiasm for “stabbing things for charity,” which motivated her to join the pumpkin carving contest.
What materials did the authors bring and what did they wish they had?
The author and Macey brought various materials, including transparent colored plastic sheets and photos of their editorial team, but realized they could have used more tools like thumbtacks and paint pens.
How did the authors react to carving raw pumpkin?
Both authors expressed their distaste for the smell of raw pumpkin during the carving process.
How much money did their carving raise?
Their pumpkin carving efforts resulted in a $1,000 donation to their charity despite not winning the main contest.
Is there another prize available through voting?
They aim to win an additional $1,000 for the Dallas Education Foundation through the contest’s social media voting segment.
When does voting close for the schoolhouse pumpkin?
Voting for their schoolhouse pumpkin is open until noon on the upcoming Monday.
What broader community goal does the contest highlight?
The article emphasizes community support for children and local education through participating in the pumpkin carving contest.
When and where is The Old Monk’s charity pumpkin event?
An upcoming pumpkin carving charity event at The Old Monk will celebrate its 20th anniversary and runs from October 25 to October 31.
What does the $13 fee at The Old Monk include?
Guests at The Old Monk event can carve pumpkins for a fee of $13, which includes a pint of beer, carving tools, and a pumpkin.
How many pumpkins were carved at The Old Monk last year?
Last year, over 700 pumpkins were carved during The Old Monk’s charity event.
Where else are pumpkin carving contests taking place?
Other pumpkin carving contests are taking place at various locations including Oak St. Drafthouse, Flying Saucer, and Armadillo Ale Works, featuring contests with free participation and prizes.
What large-scale pumpkin display continues each fall?
The Dallas Arboretum continues its tradition of creating stunning pumpkin displays each fall, requiring extensive preparation with over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash on display from September 21 to November 3.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event change | Reliant replacing traditional gingerbread with a pumpkin carving contest |
| Reigning champion | Kathy Wise, multiple-time winner including last year |
| Charity donation | $1,000 donated to the Dallas Education Foundation from the schoolhouse-themed pumpkin |
| Voting deadline | Voting for the schoolhouse pumpkin open until noon on the upcoming Monday |
| The Old Monk event | Runs October 25 to October 31; $13 fee includes a pint, tools, and a pumpkin; 20th anniversary |
| Community displays | Dallas Arboretum display from September 21 to November 3 with over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- D Magazine: Reliant Charity Pumpkin Carving Contest
- CBS News: Pumpkin Patches in DFW
- Dallas News: 6 D-FW Bars for Pumpkin Carving
- Mix 93.1 FM: Autumn at Dallas Arboretum
- Packers.com: Titletown Pumpkin Palooza
- Wikipedia: Pumpkin
- Google Search: Pumpkin Carving
- Google Scholar: Pumpkin Carving Contest
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pumpkin
- Google News: Pumpkin Carving Events
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