On Monday morning, Hillsdale County Fair visitors passed by two of Ed Moody’s squash-like grinning guardians.
The pumpkins, one of which weighs more than 630 pounds, greeted fair-goers in front of the floral exhibit near the fair’s entrance. Set upon bales of hay, they stood taller than their sculptor, prompting passersby to stop, stare, and ask questions. On multiple occasions, wide-eyed children asked, “What’s it gonna be?”
“I don’t know yet,” Moody replied. “Probably a pumpkin.”
Moody asked about children’s carving experiences, posed for pictures, and joked with visitors about putting the pumpkins on a “trick-or-treat” diet. Both sculptor and sculpture added personality to the Hillsdale County Fair as Moody invited the community into the creation of his art.
A retired electrical contractor and inspector, Moody traveled from his home in Frankfort, Michigan for his fourth visit to the Hillsdale County Fair in five years. He carved his first pumpkin at 6 years-old, but did not move past what he calls the “5-minute jack-o-lantern” until his son was one year old, about 29 years ago. A self-taught carver, he allows his inspiration to come spontaneously from his medium: “The pumpkin dictates what it’s going to be.” As he moved past candle-lit jack-o-lanterns, he took on larger and more elaborate designs, including a 590-pound model of Cinderella’s magical carriage.
Since then, he has traveled to county fairs and pumpkin weigh-ins in search of mammoth specimens to carve and display.
“I travel to fairs, to schools, to hospitals, and to Michigan giant pumpkin grower weigh-off events,” Moody said.
His connection with the fair originated from an encounter a few years ago. Bernie Pickell, a member of the Board of Directors for the county fair, met Moody at a pumpkin weigh-in and invited him to demonstrate his skill at the fair. Moody accepted, and with the exception of an absence due to medical complications last year, he has been a regular ever since.
“I love it. It’s one of the greatest fairs in the state of Michigan,” Moody said. “They’ve really got something to be proud of here.”
In addition to inviting Moody to the fair, Pickell provided the raw material for the display. Pickell’s pumpkin patch in Jerome, Michigan produced one of the pumpkins that Moody carved on Monday.
The pumpkins are a magnetic attraction for children. Jenna Ellis, 8, posed for a picture with a newly mustachioed pumpkin, admiring Moody’s handiwork up close.
“I’ve seen pretty big ones before,” she said. “But not faces like that.”
Though his masterpieces impress children and adults, Moody focuses on the joy of carving.
“I don’t do contests,” he said. “I’m into the fun of it for the kids and adults alike.”
Pickell said that Moody’s carvings are more than a seasonal hobby. Though some exhibits at the fair appeal only to select groups, Moody’s work appeals to all ages:
“Everybody, from little kids to old people, like the big pumpkins,” he said. “That’s the attraction.”
