Do you have what it takes to carve the spookiest Jack-O-Lantern this side of Route 30? Prove it! The Fourth Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest will be held at Compass Inn Museum, on October 19th, 2019! Families and individuals are encouraged to participate! Design it, carve it, and display it. There is no fee to enter.

Carve your pumpkin freehand, use a pattern, paint it, or decorate it. Winners in each age category will be chosen by popular vote during the Halloween Hauntings Storytelling tours that evening. All entries will be on display during the tours the following weekend, Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th.

First, Second, and Third Place winners will be voted on in each of the three categories. Categories include Juniors (ages 12 & under), Adults (ages 13 & up) and Families (mixed ages). First Place winners will receive $75, Second Place winners will receive $50, and Third Place winners will receive $25. In addition, each winner will receive 2 free admissions to the October 26th or 27th "Halloween Hauntings" Storytelling Tours!

Drop off your ghouliest gourd between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm Saturday, October 19th at Compass Inn Museum. Although pre-registration is encouraged, walk-in submissions on October 19th will be accepted. Visit www.compassinn.org to download the registration form and contest rules. Everyone who drops off at carved pumpkin will receive a pumpkin cookie and a cup of hot chocolate.

"Enter today to show off your great carving skills. We know you are looking forward to getting up to your elbows in a pumpkin," said Theresa Gay Rohall, Ligonier Valley Historical Society's Executive Director. "I can't wait to see how people express themselves through their carvings", added Program Coordinator Amanda Seim.

"Halloween Hauntings" Storytelling Tours are "hauntingly good" fun! Enjoy the fascinating stories of the various inhabitants and travelers who stayed at the inn and hear the fabled ghost stories that surround them and others. This unforgettable, ethereal, and entertaining excursion includes a candlelight tour of the inn, cookhouse and blacksmith shop. While you are visiting the past, you might just feel a presence as you explore the buildings and grounds of Compass Inn Museum.

Family-friendly Halloween stories will be told during the 6 to 7:30 pm tours and haunted stories for more mature audiences will be told during the 7:30 - 9 pm tours October 20, 27 & 28.

Special Halloween Pricing: $9 per person ages 13 - 61; $8 per person ages 62+; $7 children 6 - 12; Free Members, Active Military, and children 5 and younger. Admission includes the tour, hot dog or s'more, and cup of hot chocolate. Come in costume if you like. Reservations are encouraged but required for groups of 10 or more. Contact: Compass Inn Museum 724-238-4983. Pumpkin Carving Contest Rules and Entry Form

We have worked to develop an engaging field trip for students that is not only aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards, but also provides an opportunity for students to practice their critical thinking skills in a fun and welcoming environment.

Our field trips engage students with history through interaction with primary sources such as artifacts and buildings while providing real life connections to the past. Costumed docents lead age-appropriate guided tours of our 19th century Inn, blacksmith forge, cookhouse, and barn including a restored stagecoach and Contestoga Wagon. Through tours, students strengthen their visual literacy and critical thinking skills by careful observation of the historic environment. Students' experiences are enriched through multi sensory activities: cooking over an open fire, dipping candles creating a tin punch lantern, or smelling burning coal from our 19th century blacksmith forge. Several activity options include crafts students may take home with them.

For more information or to schedule your field trip today, contact Amanda Seim at 724-238-4983 or aseim@compassinn.org.

Do you love history and like talking to people? Do you enjoy working with kids? Become a volunteer at Ligonier Valley Historical Society's Compass Inn Museum. Compass Inn Museum is currently recruiting volunteers to help out with the 2019 season. Volunteer opportunities for the 2019 season include school tours, regular tours, and working in the gift shop.

For more information, contact Amanda Seim at 724-238-4983 or aseim@compassinn.org.