It's the Glass Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

One of the more unusual signs of fall arrives next week: MIT's Great Glass Pumpkin Patch, on September 26-27 in front of Kresge Auditorium at 48 Massachusetts Avenue. The glass pumpkins were created by students and instructors in MIT's  glassblowing lab, which benefits from the sale of the wildly inventive glass pumpkins (also, gourds and squashes), which range from $20-$200. Pumpkin-making is overseen by glass artist Peter Houk, director of the the MIT Glass Lab. Wild colors, stripes and patterns - not to mention "unusual stems" - are featured on the 1,000 or more pumpkins in the patch. The festivities begin with a preview reception (no sales) on September 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. On September 27, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., you can buy. For more information--including an illustrated step-by-step description of "How To Make a Pumpkin" click here or call (617) 253-5309.