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Annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest
and Afternoon Oktoberfest
Please join us for this highly entertaining annual event that’s sure to get you into the fall spirit.

Underwater pumpkin carving starts around noon. Then around 3 p.m., we’ll have our ever-popular Bavarian-style feast, followed by carving judging, awarding of prizes and a cozy fire.

We’re back at Tyler State Park. We’ll meet at the day-use area near the swim beach. Look for our bright yellow club banners and signs.

Activities start before noon as contestants bring their pre-cleaned, gutted pumpkin to the event area (by the banners, signs, etc.). Clean your pumpkin at home! Then everyone – divers and spectators – will move to the sandy swim beach area to gear up for the noon dive.

This year’s theme: The Caribbean

Start gearing up at 11 a.m. The underwater fun begins at noon. Contestants have one hour to create their masterpiece Caribbean carving while underwater. Prizes will be awarded for winning pumpkins.

Cost: The event is FREE for Scubadillo members. However Park entry fee is $6 per person.

Most important: please don’t cut yourself or your buddy.
Prepare for water temps in the upper 70s.
Bring your own pumpkin. Bring a three-pound weight to keep it down.
Bring carving utensils.
Bring a mesh bag for the carved-out chunks to bring them back to the surface. No underwater littering.
Your pumpkin MUST NOT be carved (only gutted) before getting into the water.
No drawing or mark-ups on your pumpkin in advance.
No stencils.
If you’re using props, they must be attached to your pumpkin before surfacing.
You have ONE HOUR to carve your masterpiece.
This year’s theme: The Caribbean.
One prize per pumpkin. You and your buddy can bring down two pumpkins to be judged individually OR you and your buddy can work on one pumpkin for one prize.
Bring a light or candle to illuminate your pumpkin after the dive.
We need an accurate headcount to help us plan on food and prizes for those of you who plan to participate. Please RSVP on our Facebook page by Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Scubadillo Oktoberfest starts around 3 p.m.

After carving we’ll gather at shelter SH 909 up the hill from the day-use area . We’ll provide the grilled brats, chicken, buns, red cabbage, sauerkraut and German potato salad.

Please bring a side dish or dessert to share with everyone (preferably in the theme of Oktoberfest, but anything food-related is welcome). Let us know what you are bringing by adding to our menu here.

Currently, there are no burn bans in East Texas, so we anticipate building a campfire. Plan to hang out for a while after our meal and the pumpkin-judging to socialize, tell stories, laugh at the goofy carved pumpkins, take pics, etc.

IMPORTANT
PLEASE RSVP on our Facebook page or here by Wednesday by Oct. 13. This helps us ensure we have plenty of brats!!!
Remember to bring comfy camp chairs for everyone in your group.
Bring sunshades, sunblock, hats.
Bring your beverage of choice
Tyler is about 90 miles east of Dallas just north of I-20. That’s a 1.5 to 2-hour drive for some of you. A day trip? Sure. Some Dillos plan to camp out at the park for the night or stay at a local hotel. Each campsite is allowed two tents, so there can be some sharing of campsites.