Looking to carve or decorate a pumpkin, but don't know where to start?  Not all of us have the materials to transform a plain pumpkin into something more special, so try going to a pumpkin carving or decorating workshop instead.  There, you can find all of the materials you will need, such as the right kinds of carving knives, or cute decor that you may never have thought of using.  Many of these events have free admission, but be sure to check for any additional fees for pumpkin workshops.  Some even ask for BYOP - bring your own pumpkin - so that you know your work of art will be the exact size and shape you were looking for.   Turn your pumpkin into something ghastly and ghoulish at one of these great carving and decorating events:

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Fall Family Fishing and Children's Festival
Hempstead Lake State Park
Off Southern State Pkwy.
West Hempstead – 11570
Time: 10-4 p.m.
Cost: $8 parking fee

Quogue Library Pumpkin Pickup
Quogue Library
90 Quogue Street
Quogue – 11959
Time: 11 a.m.
Cost: Please call, registration required

Paint a Pumpkin Workshop at Picasso Kidz
Picasso Kidz
72 Broadway
Greenlawn – 11740
Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Cost: Age 2 to 5 - $20, age 6 to 9 - $25

Sunday, October 19

Beacon Church Fall Fest
Beacon Church - East Williston
65 East Williston Ave.
East Williston – 11596
Time: 11:30-4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Farmingdale Library Family Pumpkin Decorating
Farmingdale Library
116 Merritts Rd.
Farmingdale - 11735
Time: 3 p.m.
Cost: Please call, registration preferred (preference given to UFSD #22 residents)

Not So Scary Haunted House
Fitz-Greene Hallock Homestead
2869 Pond Rd.
Lake Ronkonkoma - 11770
Time: 11-3 p.m.
Cost: $5

Saturday, October 25

Good Shepherd Fall Harvest Festival
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
99 Central Park Road
Plainview - 11803
Time: 12-4 p.m.
Cost: Free

Spooky Halloween Soiree
Suffolk County Environmental Center
550 South Bay Avenue
Islip – 11751
Time: 3-5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free entrance for members, $4 for non-members. Pumpkins are $4, or bring your own

Sunday, October 26

Port Jefferson 5th Annual Harvest Fest
Port Jefferson Village Center
Main Street
Port Jefferson - 11777
Time: 12-2 p.m.
Cost: Free

Northport Halloween Hayride
Northport Village Park
Main Street
Northport – 11731
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $3

Great Pumpkin Blaze
Mulford Farm Museum
10 James Lane
East Hampton – 11937
Time: 4-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Bailey Arboretum Pumpkin Festival
Bailey Arboretum
194 Bayville Road
Lattingtown – 11560
Time: 12 p.m.
Cost: Please call

Stony Brook Halloween Family Fun Day
Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages
1200 Route 25A
Stony Brook – 11790
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Cost: Free

Tuesday, October 28

Choose and Carve a Pumpkin at Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
3 Old Country Road
Quogue – 11942
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person, pre-registration is required