Jack, the Grim Reaper

 

10/31/24 The Grim Reaper (AKA Jack)

Ever since I sketched Jack Skellington, Maple Leaf’s most famous pumpkin, back in September, I’ve been checking on him occasionally on my walks. Back then, he still weighed less than 700 pounds. At his final weigh-in before he was carved, he came in at a hefty 884 pounds!

I chatted a bit with his proud grower, who now owns a giant pumpkin-growing business. Carving Jack into his Halloween persona of the Grim Reaper took several challenging hours, she said, but the effort was worth it. I sketched him on Halloween in the daylight, so I couldn’t see him lit up, but photos of him looked spooktacular.