Enchanted Pumpkin Garden by Ray Villafane | Carefree, Arizona (2019)

[@trudywolfe2795]

I love Ray and his carvings.

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh we do too. That event is STILL one of our favorite autumn activities. I believe Ray is having an event out at a ghost town (Vulture City where we filmed years ago) this year as he's a resident artist there now I think. Would LOVE to go but just have to see if we can make it work. The setting I imagine will be perfect.

[@doxielover2814]

You find some of the best places to visit. Love all the carved pumpkins and they are truly art work. So much fun to see all the scenes and provides a great visit for both adults and kids. Now you two have pumpkins to carve so get to it.

[@CactusAtlas]

Haha! I actually thought about buying the tools but it would be such a sad waste of a perfectly picked pumpkin in my hands. 😂

[@dianesdragonsandmagicalcre8957]

You are lucky you got to see it while it was there. My son and I were out there several times last year as he is the photographer for Ray Villafane. It will no longer be in Carefree. Some of his art is now in downtown Mesa until November 8, 2020. check out Strange Encounters at the City of Mesa’s website or FB page.

[@CactusAtlas]

Well, darn That's a shame his work won't be shown in Carefree any longer. I doubt will be able to make it out to Mesa to see any displays. Too bad. A real loss. 😥

[@gstiles7]

Gonna have to make it out your way and check that out. Nice to see Amy make an appearance 😀

[@CactusAtlas]

It's so worth it! We had such a great time taking it all in. And I'm trying to make more appearances. Being on camera VS behind it doesn't come naturally to me. 🙃

[@CactusAtlas]

Yeah man, that place was awesome. Quality event. We are considering heading back again one evening so we can check it out after dark.

[@3Kitais]

WOW!! That was awesome, I’ve never gone to it either but will definitely be checking it out. Well worth the $15 - seems like so little to give back to the artists talents, time and effort. Jeez, to have such a skill. The materials used for arms, legs, etc was very interesting too. On a side note, so nice to see Amy - you two are such a cute couple. Great timely video. Thanks for sharing - can’t wait to see the next adventure.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks! It definitely is a gem and worth the visit if one can make it up there. And yes, the creativity is stunning! We noticed that the studio sells those little arms and legs. We should have bought some too have little friends of our own. 😂

[@dorothycampbell8168]

Are you Open, When did you Start to charge to look?

[@CactusAtlas]

Hi there! We are just a couple that films locations around Arizona and are in no way associated with the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden. I assume you are meaning to direct your question towards the town of Carefree. Unfortunately we do not have access to this information. I do not see the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden on the calendar for 2021 so I would assume that this year's festival is cancelled due to Covid (www.carefree.org/). If you're wanting to see what Ray Villafane is up to, you can follow him on social media. We follow him here on KZbin and he's been doing some interesting things! 😀

[@dorothycampbell8168]

Thank you.

[@dianesdragonsandmagicalcre8957]

There is no Pumpkin Garden in Carefree this year, nor will it be held there any year after. Right now some of Ray’s creations are being displayed in windows in downtown Mesa until November 8th if you are interested in seeing his art. Check out the city of Mesa for Strange Encounters.