Enter Laguna Beach's Jack-O'-Lantern Carving Contest ... or Else!

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —The City of Laguna Beach is inviting carvers of all ages to compete in the second annual Pumpkin Carving Competition. Anyone who lives, works, goes to school or exhibits in town may enter to win.

Prizes will be bestowed for most original, scariest, best overall and the coveted mayor's award.

The winning specimens will decorate the Promenade October 29 through November 1 as a nod to Halloween, Dia de los Muertos and autumn.

What terrifying event will inspire your pumpkin art?

Will it be the oil spill so much on our minds?

Or perhaps something pre-Industrial Age?

After all, who is this "Jack" of the Jack-o'-lantern?

The old-world European legend has many versions. One tells of a thief named Jack who encounters the Devil while fleeing the villagers he has stolen from. Jack convinces Satan to transform into a coin, with which Jack will pay for what he's taken. Once in the hands of the townfolk, Satan can as he wishes.

The underlord agrees, and shape-shifts into a coin inside Jack's wallet. But Jack's got a cross in there, which traps the devil. Jack only agrees to let him free, if the devil promises not to take Jack's soul.

Eventually Jack dies. Too evil for heaven and barred from hell, he must wander the earth for eternity looking for a resting place.

But how will I see, asked Jack of Satan.

Satan sneered, then tossed Jack a burning coal. Jack then carved a turnip, and placed the glowing ember inside to light his hopeless wandering.

The carved and lit-from-within pumpkin—or turnip—shows up in the U.S. most famously in Washington Irving's 1820 story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Illustrations often depict the tale's Headless Horseman with a pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern where his noggin should be.

Whatever inspires your creation, remember:

• You must register online by 5 p.m. October 27.
• Pumpkins must not be larger than 15 inches high or 15 inches wide.
• Carve, paint, sculpt or airbrush your gourds at home.
• Drop off your finished creations October 28 between 9 and 11 a.m. at Laguna Beach Community Center & Suzi Q Center, 380 Third St., Terrace.
  

May the creepy carvings begin!