Painted Pumpkin Palooza

October 1-31, 2026

 

Painted Pumpkin Palooza is an annual Gardens collaboration with students from Susan B. Anthony Middle School and the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. This event is made possible by generous donations and local grant funding from AHA! Manhattan.

white metal pumpkin sign for susan b anthony middle school

Where Learning Meets Art

This is not just a pumpkin display, it is also a learning experience and artistic outlet for the students. In order for students to participate, they must submit a pumpkin design proposal and reason for the design.

painted pumpkins sitting on upside down pots in front of pink flowers and elephant ear plants

Volunteers Make it Possible

The behind-the-scenes support provided by Gardens volunteers to transport the pumpkins and place them throughout the Gardens is essential to the success of this collaboration.

small orange pumpkins painted with individual letters that spell out the works isibindi courage with a lion painted on a white pumpkin in the middle

Free Exhibit to Explore
300+ Pumpkins
Fun Halloween Decorations
Encouraging Community Connections
fake skeleton sitting on the ground with five white pumpkins that spell out jag start k

Building Community Connections

In 2025, a partnership was forged with the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art to provide an opportunity of K-State students to paint their own pumpkin during Family Weekend on campus. This partnership will continue in 2026, providing K-State students a creative outlet and a way to connect with the community.

white pumpkin with powercat in purple

 

collage of painted pumpkins including a green witch mario blue smiling face multi color dragon flowers and a hedgehog

Where to see more pumpkins from 2024 & 2025

See Pumpkins on Facebook