Giant Pumpkin Carvers

Operation Pumpkin wouldn’t be complete without the incredible talent of our carving crew. From seasoned champions to first-time competitors, these artists transform giant pumpkins into jaw-dropping works of art. Each carver brings a unique style, story, and passion to the festival—and together, they help make Operation Pumpkin one of the most unforgettable events of the season.

Shannon Gerasimchik known as Chef G! This restaurant owner and chef is a seasoned OP veteran, having participated for three years in a row & a returning 2023 Champion Of Operation Pumpkin!

David Smith, a pumpkin carver with a passion for ice sculpting, is joining us for his third year at OP too! This guy has won over five and a half dozen gold medals in international making him a true rock star in the art world.

Anthony Pater, also known as the Baby Faced Assassin, will be making his third appearance at OP. Despite his young age, this carving prodigy keeps all the old guys on their toes.

Pheomie Demoi, a Cincinnati native, will be carving her way to her third Operation Pumpkin. Her carving style suggests a lifetime of experience, even though she’s just getting started! Cant wait to see her create this season. 

Christoph Jackson, a Hamiltonian, will be joining us for his fourth consecutive year. Often referred to as Hamilton’s Son, Christoph is an expert in almost every medium he touches. He embodies everything about Halloween that we grew up loving . 

Liza Slaughter-Barker will be attending her third Operation Pumpkin. We had the chance to meet her while filming Outrageous Pumpkins season 2, and her amazing attention to detail and ability to create incredible art on delicate surfaces will leave you in awe. 

Meet Titus Arensberg, a Hamilton favorite and carving legend known for his massive creations and whimsical scenes.And guess what? He’s back! This year, he’ll be gracing us with his tenth appearance at OP.

Next up, we have Tator Edwards. With his larger-than-life personality and incredible talent, he’s one of the most influential celebrity pumpkin carvers out there. He’s not just carving pumpkins; he’s also the owner and operator of The Naughty Lobstah Food truck and three others. And he’s joining us for his third year at OP!

Jamie Louks is a true artist who’s traveled the world, creating stunning works of art in sand, sugar, fondant, and pumpkins. She’s a master of her craft, and we’re thrilled to have her join us for her first-ever time at Operation Pumpkin.

Drew Smith is an artist who’s known for his spooky clay creations that’ll give you a chill down your spine. He’s been my partner for the past three seasons, helping me create some of the most epic pieces. And he’s joining us for his fourth year at OP.

Joe Greenwald is another Ohio artist who’s a true expert in his field. He’s a car painter and a backyard skate park builder, and he’s been a veteran at OP carving for four years. He’s one of my favorite personalities to carve, and I’m so excited to have him back.

And finally, I’m here William E. Wilson owner & Artist of Wicked Designz! I’m a Cincinnati native who now lives just two miles outside of Hamilton. I got my first chance to carve big pumpkins at Operation Pumpkin back in 2014, and I’ve been hooked ever since. This is the one event I look forward to every year, and this year marks my third time hosting/organizing carving talent and my 10th year carving.