Color me spooked: Pumpkin coloring contest winners

It was a colorful harvest this year. Nearly 200 area children (and a few adults) turned in some pretty spooky squashes.

It was a tough job, but the judges at The Spokesman-Review picked their favorite pumpkins.

In the 0-4 category, Grace Blair charmed judges with her dotted pumpkin. Grace is 3 and lives in Mead.

Three-year-old Olivia Weaver went pink, purple and sparkly for her Cinderella pumpkin, while 4-year-old Natalie Anderson’s glitter had more autumnal hues. Olivia and Natalie both live in Spokane.

In the 5-7 category, John Bean’s pumpkin stood out with its rainbow-colored patterns. John is 7 and lives in Coeur d’Alene.

Judges liked the scary humor Cheney’s Piper Bridges, 6, used when decorating her pumpkin, especially the creepy spider eyes. It also was the eyes that grabbed the judges’ attention on Betty Byers’ jack-o’lantern. Betty is 7 and lives in Greenacres.

In the 8-12 category, the contestants showed a range of styles. Spokane’s Laura Sheikh, 12, created a lovely sugar skull. The judges admired her color choices and artistry.

Daphne Larson went full-on creepy with a black hand and spiders crawling all over her pumpkin. Daphne is 8 and lives in Spokane. And Olive Utley commemorated 2020 with her beautifully drawn, mask-wearing jack-o’-lantern. Olive is 12 and lives in Mead.

The winners will receive gift certificates to Mobius Discovery Center.

Thanks to everyone who submitted a pumpkin. All of the entries will be displayed in the lobby windows at The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., through the end of the month.