(Batesville, IN) – 5 Oaks Lawn and Garden Center in Batesville has become quite the tourist attraction since a giant pumpkin carving of late Rock and Roll legend Ozzie Osbourne went on display.
Osbourne, the co-founder of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath and known as “The Prince of Darkness,” died on July 22 at the age of 76.
Co-owner Matt Nobbe says a customer gifted the center a 500-pound pumpkin that was carved in Osbourne’s likeness at last weekend’s Operation Pumpkin festival in Hamilton, Ohio.
“And he said, ‘You know, this is so cool, and if I take it to the farm, nobody’s going to see it,'” Nobbe said. “So, he then asked us if we would display it and I said, ‘Sure! I think it’s cool, too. I want as many people to see it as possible.’ It’s been here since Monday morning.”
Nobbe says the curious have been coming from near and far, morning, noon and night – even at 3 a.m. – to see the giant Ozzie pumpkin.
“We’ll ask people, ‘Where are you from?’ I had one come yesterday from Southern Indiana. We’ve had people from Cincinnati,” he said. “I had a whole vanload of people come from Lawrenceburg this morning. It’s just been crazy.”
They’ve also had visitors from Indianapolis and beyond.
Nobbe says he hopes more people come to see and enjoy the pumpkin before it deteriorates.
