The Story of Halloween and the Pumpkin Patch
October 31 marks Halloween in the West—a holiday that still feels strange and unfamiliar to me. Even after living in the United States for four years, I find it difficult to fully embrace a festival so rooted in a different culture. Like many Western holidays, Halloween has strong religious undertones. The word "Halloween" is derived from "All Hallows' Eve," meaning the evening before All Saints’ Day. According to legend, during this night, spirits and supernatural beings are free to roam the earth, and people wear costumes to disguise themselves and avoid harm.
There’s a famous tale behind this tradition. Long ago, a man named Jack encountered the devil after a night of drinking. Cleverly, he carved a cross into a nearby tree, trapping the devil. After some negotiation, the devil agreed never to take Jack to hell. But when Jack eventually died, he was denied entry to heaven due to his sinful life—and true to his word, the devil also refused to take him in. Instead, he tossed Jack a burning coal from hell. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed-out turnip to protect it from the wind and began wandering the earth, searching endlessly for rest. People later called him "Jack of the Lantern," or Jack-o'-lantern.
This legend originated in Ireland, where turnips were commonly used to carve Jack’s face. But when Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America in the 19th century, they discovered that pumpkins—softer, naturally hollow, and much larger—were a perfect substitute. And so, by happy coincidence, the pumpkin became the enduring symbol of Halloween.
Pumpkin Season in Solvang
One sunny weekend, two weeks before Halloween, we drove to a pumpkin patch near Solvang, a charming Danish-style town, to buy pumpkins in bulk.
The pumpkin patch owner clearly had an artistic touch. Pumpkins these days are no longer just orange or ordinary. Many now follow a cute, cartoonish aesthetic. Some are green and bashful, others whimsical and wildly imaginative.
Interestingly, you don’t even need to carve pumpkins to make them come alive. A simple paintbrush can turn any gourd into a vivid character. The key is to work with the pumpkin’s natural shape—something the artist behind these creations clearly understands. One playful pumpkin, shaped just right, looked like it was mid-laugh. It was a perfect example of creativity meeting nature.
The pricing was also quite reasonable. A giant pumpkin cost less than $10—more than worth it for the joy of participation. At the front of the patch, even the flower arrangements were made of pumpkins, and above the door, red chili peppers hung in celebration of the harvest.
The owner had another side business too: a large cornfield turned into a maze. Visitors could buy their pumpkins, then test their navigation skills in the labyrinth—another clever way to make use of the land and add fun to the experience.
The weather, as usual in this region, was perfectly sunny. The corn was full and ripe—it was clearly a year of plenty.
In one area, the largest pumpkins were gathered—not for sale, but as a resting and photo spot. There were also mini pumpkins, about the size of a fist, ideal for painting or small carvings—perfect for anyone who prefers a “cute” style.
Under the afternoon sun, the scattered pumpkins glowed with a golden hue. Parents wandered the fields with their children, searching for just the right pumpkin. Although they all looked similar, finding “the one” was no easy task.
Choosing a pumpkin also means imagining what it could become—a scary face, a goofy grin, a detailed painting. It's a small but meaningful act of creativity.
A snapshot of the cornfields and pumpkins captured the cheerful essence of an American farm in autumn.
In a side section, enormous pumpkins were neatly lined up. These were more for decoration than carving—most people wouldn’t take on the challenge of hollowing one out. Some unusually shaped pumpkins were perfect for painting into elves or ghouls, or simply displayed as they were.
Each pumpkin seemed to have its own destiny. Those that were chosen glowed with purpose; the rest waited patiently, as if expecting the right hands to find them.
Immersed in the golden sea of pumpkins, you suddenly forget all other colors. The world becomes a canvas of radiant orange and yellow—and for a moment, you feel completely surrounded by autumn.
