Russ Leno, a nationally renown master sculptor, will carve a 300-500 lb. pumpkin during the Chelan Valley Harvest Fest Oct.17-18.

Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) - Downtown Manson welcomes Master Sculptor Russ Leno to the Chelan Valley Harvest Fest October 17-18. Leno is a nationally recognized sculptor of pumpkin, sand, snow and wood. On October 17, he will carve a 300-500 lb. on Manson Blvd. in downtown Manson.

“We’re thrilled to have Russ Leno come to Harvest Fest. His work is incredible, and it’ll be a great attraction for visitors to the festival,” said Event Promotions Manager Jaye Payne.

Leno has been carving pumpkins for over 30 years and has received national media attention for his carvings. He’s been featured in People Magazine and has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He’s also carved for former Vice President Al Gore during the famous Halloween Party at the Vice President’s Residence.

“Pumpkin carving is one of the first art forms we learn as children and something we carry with us throughout our lives. My first professional carving of an Atlantic Giant Pumpkin was in 1995 at Remlinger farms in Carnation, Washington in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. I was amazed at the reaction I received from the crowd, no one had witnessed pumpkin sculpting of this caliber,” said Russ.

Leno now sculpts pumpkins professionally from August through November. He carves at special events, fairs, farms, on TV, and in private homes. He’s carved pumpkins weighing anywhere from 250 lbs. to the world’s largest pumpkin (1,300 pounds).  He carves an average of 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of pumpkins a year, traveling around the world to carve. It’s clear that Leno has taken pumpkin carving to a whole new level: “I carved the first 1,000 pound pumpkin and spent 25 hours carving the world record pumpkin,” said Leno.

Visitors to the Chelan Valley Harvest Fest can watch Leno in action beginning at 4pm on October 17. His carved pumpkin will be on display all weekend on Manson Blvd. in downtown Manson. The public is invited to take pictures with the displayed pumpkin.

Other Harvest Fest activities include hayrides, a corn maze, an apple pie contest, cider pressings and an outdoor movie. Live entertainment includes a ‘hoe-down’ with Country Musician Troy ‘T-bone’ Lucas and music by Tupelo Bay, Darin Hilderbrand and Trio Deluxe. For a full festival schedule, go to www.lakechelan.com, or call the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-4CHELAN.