LONGVIEW, Texas – For more than twenty years, Longview resident Tom May has turned a modest pumpkin hobby into a neighborhood Halloween landmark. This year his display grew into a 15‑foot tall, illuminated “Great Wall of Pumpkins” that stretches across the corner of Knob Crest and Regal Oak, directly across from the Walmart off Gilmer Road.
From modest collection to towering tradition
May began the tradition when his wife started gathering pumpkins for seasonal décor. Over time the collection swelled, prompting May to construct a multi‑tiered shelving system using recycled shipping pallets and salvaged 3/4‑inch plywood. The freestanding framework holds roughly 335 jack‑o’‑lanterns, each carved into pop‑culture icons such as Darth Vader, the Grinch, Mickey Mouse, M&M characters, as well as cats, fruit and vegetable designs.
“My wife started collecting pumpkins and everything, and it just grew and grew till we’re here,” May said. Family members, including his daughter and her friends, helped assemble the display, adding a large focal pumpkin dubbed “Big Jack.”
Recycling and safety at the core
True to the spirit of stewardship, May sourced much of the structure’s material from previous construction projects, reusing concrete form boards and about 75 % of the screws from earlier builds. The wall’s supports are anchored near a tree in the yard, and the entire assembly was tested for structural integrity on a Sunday before the pumpkins were mounted on Monday.
Electrical safety was a priority. May runs the lights across three separate circuit breakers, keeping each row isolated so that any burned‑out bulb or faulty cord can be quickly identified and replaced without shutting down the whole display.
Community response
The illuminated pumpkin wall has become a local attraction, drawing onlookers, delivery drivers and neighbors who stop to photograph the colorful spectacle. Residents appreciate the blend of creativity, family involvement and sustainable building practices that the display showcases each Halloween season.
May’s effort reflects a broader tradition of community‑focused holiday celebrations in East Texas, where families often create public displays that bring neighbors together and highlight the region’s emphasis on family, faith and local pride.
Looking ahead
As the holiday approaches, May plans to maintain the wall through the season, ensuring that the lights remain bright and the pumpkins stay safely secured. He hopes the tradition will continue to inspire other families to combine creativity with resourcefulness, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines Longview.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
