SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) —The countdown to Halloween is ticking, and pumpkins everywhere are getting ready for their moment in the spotlight. In this morning’s Flashback Friday, KELOLAND’s Michael Schwartz takes us back to 1993 for a colorful twist on a classic Halloween tradition.
Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins as far as the eye can see, and what a variety. You’ve got your pumpkins with a lot of heart. You’ve got your world-weary traveler pumpkin types. And even, well, is there any place this guy doesn’t show up? Anyway, all clowning aside, this is the person who puts the pictures with the pumpkins.
Lorain Nemier had to find a way to sell the pumpkins she had, and plain, unpainted pumpkins just weren’t selling. But now, she can’t make enough of these models.
“Pretty soon you can’t keep up, so everybody gets started. Dad helps paint. We have twin boys and they help paint. We do as many as a hundred of them, every Wednesday and every Saturday.”
And make no mistake about it, painting pumpkins is an art. They have to hold up for weeks until Halloween. They have to be unique. And of course, the paint has to stay put.
“We’re gonna have an acrylic-water-based paint here. And then when you’re finished, to keep your paint on, you should spray it with a lacquer spray.”
So if you just don’t have the heart to tear into the old Jack-O-Lantern, pick a painted pumpkin from Lorain’s patch.
