The Top 5 Places to Get A Great Pumpkin in Texarkana

Fall is here! You know what that means? It's time to find the Great Pumpkin! Alright, maybe not the Great Pumpkin from Charlie Brown, but how about the perfect pumpkin for carving?

Halloween is just around the corner. Ever wonder how the tradition of carving pumpkins started? Halloween is actually based on the ancient Celtic holiday Samhain which means "summer's end".

On this night, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.

When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in American they found the native pumpkin to be larger and easier to carve, it seemed the perfect choice for the jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn't really catch on big in this country until the late 1800's.

Carving pumpkins is a fun family tradition, but where, oh, where to get that perfect pumpkin? Here are the top 5 places in Texarkana to get a perfect pumpkin!

5. Super One Foods- 2610 Richmond Road

4. Albertsons - All three locations in Texarkana have a wonderful selection of pumpkins! Albertsons - located at 3710 N State Line Ave, 2315 Richmond Road and 4415 W. 7th St in Wake Village.

3. Walmart Supercenter- Both Arkansas and Texas side locations.

But, in my opinion, the best places in town to get a pumpkin are these next two. These places not only will guarantee a great pumpkin for carving, but will make picking one out an event!

2. Ellis Home Decor and Garden - at 3920 Summerhill Road always has a wonderful fall set up to take pictures of your kids! Get a beautiful pumpkin and pick up fall decor for your home too! Just remember to bring a camera!

1.The Pumpkin Patch at Williams - Located at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church at 4000 Moores Lane. The pumpkins arrive Sunday afternoon October 16th so the patch will be up and running by that evening! Make arrangements to be at Story Time in the Pumpkin Patch. Schools and groups can come and listen to stories, sing songs, have pumpkin muffins and pick out a pumpkin. You can sign your group up online.

The pumpkin patch will be open 8 a.m. til dusk starting the evening of October 16 through the 31st.

There has got to more places to get the perfect pumpkin. So, what places did I miss? Let me know!

via Halloween Pumpkin Carving - History of Jack O' Lanterns.