Metal, Monsters, and Pumpkin Mania

Forget your run-of-the-mill costume parties and trick-or-treat parades; Monster Music is blowing them all out of the water this Saturday, Oct. 26, with their 2nd Annual Pumpkin Classic.
From super secret five-hour sales to highly collectible door prizes and a globally recognized Iraqi metal band headlining the event, Monster Music owner Wray Newcomb isn’t holding back when it comes to celebrating his favorite season.
“I’m a big kid, really. I love this time of year, the cooler weather and the start of the holiday season. I really get into traditions and pumpkin carving is one of my favorite things to do, so the thought of a bunch of people hanging out, having fun and carving pumpkins in front of the store seemed like a great idea,” says Newcomb.
Last year competitors were asked to bring their own pumpkins for the carving competition and despite a great turnout for the event, only about a dozen carvers entered the contest. So this year, Newcomb decided to up the ante. Free pumpkins will be available on-site for anyone and everyone willing to step up to the carving table. All you need are your own carving tools and a bit of creativity.
“It really hit home when the truck pulled up and they had to drop off all the pumpkins with a forklift,” says Newcomb.
The carving competition isn’t just limited to individuals, either. Teams are also encouraged to compete, and any number of pumpkins can be used as long as they all follow the same theme. That is, multiple pumpkins from one person or team will be judged as a single entry.
And there’s a time limit. Carvers pick up their knives promptly at 1 p.m. and have until 3 p.m. to complete their entry. So should you be looking to create the world’s longest pumpkin-eating-pumpkin homage to Calvin and Hobbes, start gathering your team members now.
If gourd whittling isn’t your thing, however, you’ll still have a chance to show off your Halloween spirit during the Halloween costume contest with categories for both adults and children. Judges – including Chris Haire of the Charleston City Paper, Rachel Kate Gillon, and Tammy Butler of First Citizens Bank – will be evaluating both costumes and pumpkins starting at 3 p.m.
“This event is for everyone. It isn’t about professional costumes or professional carvers, it’s about getting into the spirit of the season,” Newcomb adds.
And winners won’t just walk away with a pat on the back, either. Gift baskets containing prizes donated by Lowe’s, World Market, Party City, Broken Lantern Tattoo, Baroni’s New York Pizza, Lowcountry Harley Davidson, Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ, and Southside 17 Bar & Grill will be awarded to both pumpkin carving and costume contest champs.
“It should be really fun. We had a great time last year and the bands this year are incredible. I was excited to get Acrassicauda to play, especially since I remember seeing their 2008 documentary ‘Heavy Metal in Bagdad.’ I mean, these guys were carrying gallons of gasoline to their practice space just to power the generators so they could play. It’s going to be great to have them here,” says Newcomb.
The lineup also includes two local metal bands, Hooded Eagle and First World Problem, both of which have significant followings in the Charleston area.
So whether you come for the costumes, the candy, the pumpkins, the sales, the food by Daniel Island’s DIG RIG food truck, or the chance to win a limited edition slime-green vinyl recording of the original Bride of Frankenstein, Monster Music’s Pumpkin Classic is going to have a little bit of something for everyone.
 
Free and open to the public, the 2^nd Annual Monster Music Pumpkin Classic will take place on Saturday, October 26, from 1 – 6 p.m. in front of Monster Music, located at 946 Orleans Road across from Citadel Mall. For more information, visit www.monstermusicsc.com, the Monster Music Facebook page, or call 843-571-4637.