2011 HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN ARCH CONSTRUCTION

Directions

1. Buy at least 30 hollow foam pumpkins and carve them with scary, happy, or Disney-style faces.
2. Build the arch frame from PVC pipes and connectors, making it 8 feet tall, 10 feet wide, with 45-degree angles on the sides.
3. Drive four 4-foot rebar stakes into the ground, then slide PVC pipes over them for stability.
4. Add six crossbars distributed around the arch to create stability and keep the main pipes evenly spaced.
5. Place the carved pumpkins onto the PVC frame, starting with the largest one at the top center.
6. Secure each pumpkin to the PVC pipe using brown paper-covered craft wire. Poke holes in the pumpkins so the wire holds, especially against wind.
7. Add extra security: tie small gauge wire around key points on the arch and screw hooks into the house at front, back, and side support locations.
8. Fill the arch with more pumpkins in two rows, two wide. Place a 2x1/2x8-foot board on top to help support the weight.
9. String and place outdoor lights (C-9 or C7 orange bulbs) inside the jack-o'-lanterns. Position bulbs high or low so they aren't directly visible.
10. Paint the exposed PVC pipe black or brown to conceal it.
11. Fill any gaps in the structure with fall leafy vines.