Sand Sculptor to 'Repair' Pumpkin Fest Work

Local artist Karl Wirtz will be creating a sand sculpture for this Sunday's Blackwood Pumpkin Festival, after all.

"He's going to repair the sculpture he worked on over the weekend," Stacy Napolitano, public relations professional for Pumpkin Festival organizer Mainstage Center for the Arts, said.

So, the festival mainstay will still be a part of the annual Black Horse Pike event despite last Sunday's rainout.

With Wirtz confirming he'll be participating, a full slate of performances scheduled, and the costume parade and contest still a go, it's not looking like such a bad thing organizers postponed Blackwood Pumpkin Festival by a week.

In fact, if you look at the weather forecast, it looks like it was a great decision.

While it was in the high 40s, rainy and dreary last Sunday, the forecast is calling for clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s this Sunday. A truly perfect fall day!

This year's will be the 15th Blackwood Pumpkin Festival for which Wirtz has made a sand sculpture. He is perhaps best remembered in the area for the 9/11 sculpture he crafted for the 2011 event.

Last year, Writz created a Phillie Phanatic sand sculpture for the Pumpkin Festival.

The 21st annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. It will take place in the area around Gloucester Township-Blackwood Rotary Public Library.