Valley Stream children color their orange canvas

The pumpkins may have started out orange, but by Saturday afternoon they were yellow, red, white and just about any other color on the spectrum. Nearly 200 children took part in the village’s third annual pumpkin painting contest, sponsored by the Recreation Department.

For the first time in three years, the weather was just right to allow the event to be held outdoors. Tables were set up in the grass area behind the miniature golf course. Each child received a pumpkin and all the necessary supplies to express their creativity.

The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce provided each child with a T-shirt, and teens from the Valley Stream Youth Council helped set up and clean up.

Recreation Director Tom Roberts said this year had by far the largest turnout, so it was fortunate they were able to move the event outdoors.

After 20 minutes of painting, judges traveled from table to table seeking the funniest and the scariest looking pumpkins. In the age 5-8 group, Willow Chamblin won for the funniest pumpkin and Erin St. Angelo placed second. Kamille Shrestha placed first for scariest pumpkin with Nick Koches also receiving a trophy for his second place design.

In the age 9-12 group, Abby Fitzsimmons and Ilani Inoa placed first and second, respectively, for funniest pumpkin. Lucianna Viscarra took the top prize for the scariest design, with Nicole Scardigno finishing second.

Judges included Chamber President Debbi Gyulay, Deputy Mayor Joanne Antun, and Youth Council President Ken Heino. All children received a participation trophy and got to take home their pumpkin.