South Carolina Aquarium celebrates Halloween with underwater pumpkin carving

This year an octopus design was declared the winner by aquarium guests. (Courtesy of South Carolina Aquarium) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

Chizo Obi, Media General – NASHVILLE, TENN. (MEDIA GENERAL)---Are you a pro at 'underwater basket-weaving?' Well, a recent event at the South Carolina Aquarium might give a run for your money.

In preparation for Halloween, six divers competed in the annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving competition. Carving into a pumpkin's outer layer and producing a porch-worthy design to greet trick-or-treaters is a perfect afternoon activity, but accomplishing this task while submerged in a giant fish tank makes it an art form.

Recommended Videos



The six divers entered the aquarium's 42-foot deep Great Ocean Tank, the deepest tank in North America. Their task: carve a sea-inspired design into a pumpkin---while surrounded by hundreds of fish.

It took only 20 minutes for these experts to carve impressive masterpieces. One diver went a nontraditional route, choosing a pineapple as his canvas. Guests who attended the event voted on their favorite design.

This year, an octopus design was declared the winner.

Humans are not the only ones excited to attend this event---the activity also serves as source of stimulation for the animals that inhabit the Great Ocean Tank because it introducing new objects and activity into their environment.

If you missed the first time, you're in luck! The South Carolina Aquarium is giving the public a second chance to experience this spectacle.

The next underwater carving will be on October 28, at 11 a.m. ET. Find out more info here.