There’s LOT of Fall festivals this weekend…and they’re all inside Finger Lakes Top 10.com!

If you’re heading out to pick the perfect pumpkin, here are some tips from Today, BioAdvanced, and the Statesman Journal:

Check the pumpkins for soft spots and signs of mold.  Don’t forget to check underneath. Press on it with your thumbs and if it gives a little, the pumpkin isn’t fresh.

Pumpkins continue to ripen and will get more orange after they’re picked.  Choose a lighter pumpkin now if you want a deep orange one by Halloween.

Look for one that has its handle or stem intact.  A dark green stem is a sign it was picked more recently as compared to a brown stem.

Look for pumpkins with flat walls and no deep ribs. Those are much better for carving. The tall, oblong pumpkins usually have stringier flesh that makes precise cuts difficult.

Make sure it sits upright.  No one likes a lop-sided pumpkin!