Pumpkin Display Application - 2026 Pumpkins on Parade

Questions or technical issues? Email Aaron Varnell (avarnell@fcgov.com) for clarification or assistance.

Event Overview
Pumpkins on Parade is an annual all-ages Halloween event featuring seasonal lights, installations, games, performers, and pumpkins at The Gardens on Spring Creek (The Gardens), located at 2145 Centre Avenue in Fort Collins, CO.

For 2026, The Gardens is seeking individual artists or artist teams to contribute to the event in the form of temporary pumpkin-based displays (see example images on our website). These artists will work with The Gardens team to develop an anticipated 2-3 displays per artist that are thematic, durable, safe, and family-friendly.

Experience working with pumpkins as a medium is preferred but not required. Final designs must be agreed upon by both artists and The Gardens team. Artists will be solely responsible for construction of displays.

Materials / Construction
The Gardens will provide the following materials upon request and based on availability:

- Pumpkins, both orange jack-o-lantern and specialty
- Extension cords
- Spotlights and string lighting
- Wooden pallets

Artists are responsible for providing all other materials (including structural materials such as wood, rebar, etc.) and any tools required for construction. Pumpkins must be incorporated into displays.

Displays may be constructed either offsite or in designated onsite areas at The Gardens. The vast majority of display construction is expected to occur prior to final placement, and displays will need to be constructed so that they can be moved into place by cart or pallet.

Timing
Due to the ephemeral nature of pumpkins as a medium, there is a short period of time for displays to be finalized. Framing and other nonperishable elements may be constructed offsite in advance. Anticipated event timeline is outlined below.

Monday, Oct. 19 @ 9 a.m. On-site display construction area available to artists
Thursday, Oct. 22 – Sunday, Oct. 25 Pumpkins on Parade event dates. During the event weekend, artist must be able to physically respond within 24 hours in the event of major issues related to displays.
Monday, Oct. 26 Display material clean-up

Additionally, two approximately hour-long meetings with The Gardens staff are required prior to the event: one in June/July (onsite) to walk the site and discuss preliminary concepts and one in August/September (remote or onsite) to finalize display and construction plans. Meeting schedule will be based on artist and The Gardens staff availability.

Application / Design Process
Applications are due by 3 p.m. on July 17, 2026. Qualified applicants may be selected prior to this deadline. This application will request the following information. Additional information may be requested on a case-by-case basis:

- Artist contact information
- 3–5 images of representative work completed in the past 5 years
- Experience using pumpkins as a medium (preferred but not required)
- History working with The Gardens or the City of Fort Collins
- A conceptual mock-up of at least one proposed display with internal structural components identified

Pumpkins on Parade is organized into several distinct thematic areas. The Gardens is specifically seeking designs that fit into one of the following categories:

- Medieval Fantasy (i.e. a towering pumpkin castle, dragons, ogres)
- Witches (i.e. apothecary, mystic creatures, ghosts)
- Monster Mash (a classic Halloween monster dance party)
- Woodland (i.e. forest animals, plants/flowers)
- Carved or uncarved pumpkins arranged into artistic, visually appealing designs

Designs outside of these categories will still be considered. Displays are expected to be approximately 4'-8' tall, although size variation is acceptable. Each display may consist of multiple structures or components.

**Displays must be family-friendly and appropriate for young audiences. This event targets families with young children and is marketed as a "not-so-spooky" Halloween experience.**

Compensation
Compensation ranging from $1,000 - $2,000 per artist or artist team is anticipated. Depending on the scope and scale of displays being completed this amount may vary. Specific compensation will be agreed upon prior to beginning work on the displays and will be based on anticipated expenses, scale/complexity of displays, and number of displays.

A $200 deposit will be paid to selected artists upon signing a contract. The remainder will be paid to artists following the event.

The artist or artist team leader must be at least 18 years of age and legally residing in and authorized to work in the United States.

The artist will need to submit a W9 for payment and sign a contract with the City of Fort Collins.