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Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinLast week, we brought you news that the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/worlds-largest-pumpkin-to-be-carved-at-the-new-york-botanical-garden/">world's largest pumpkin</a> was going under the knife, and now we have actual photos of the carving in action! We were on the scene yesterday at the <a href="http://www.nybg.org/">New York Botanical Garden</a>, as carving master <a href="http://villafanestudios.com/">Ray Villafane</a> whittled away sections of the 1,818.5 lb pumpkin to reveal an incredibly intricate three-dimensional scene of zombies and demons busting out of the orange shell. Click through our gallery to see our photos of the hair-raising sculpture, including close-ups of all the chilling details.1
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinA crowd of garden-goers watched in awe as Villafane deftly sliced and slivered pieces of the giant squash (yes, pumpkins are a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin">type of winter squash</a>).2
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinAfter a few hours, the orange flesh was transformed into a terrifying scene complete with an eerily realistic zombie and a ghastly ghoul breaking out of the pumpkin's shell.3
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinVillafane even used the stringy innards of the pumpkin as "guts" draped in the hand of the zombie, who he depicted reaching out towards the audience.4
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest Pumpkin<a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/worlds-largest-pumpkin-to-be-carved-at-the-new-york-botanical-garden/">The pumpkin</a>, which is currently the record holder for largest pumpkin in the world, was "raised" by Jim and Kelsey Bryson in Ormstown, Quebec.5
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinThe orange behemoth is on display with its two slightly smaller brothers (grown in California and Pennsylvania) at the <a href="http://www.nybg.org/">NYBG</a> until October 30th, and all three will be carved into spooky sculptures by Villafane.6
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinThe master carver was getting started on the fingers of another hand reaching out of the top of the giant pumpkin when we left so we're guessing the completed sculpture will be ready soon!7
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinA ghastly ghoul popping its head out from the pumpkin.8
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinA closer looks at the dastardly details.9
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinA sign notes the weight and origin of the giant pumpkin.10
Ray Villafane Carves World's Largest PumpkinRay's initial sketch of his Halloween-themed pumpkin concept.11
