What's up with the pumpkins?

Out on the bike in recent weeks I've been noticing houses with pumpkins out on the porch.  Not carved jack-o-lanterns, obviously. Just whole pumpkins. This one I spotted Wednesday in Gov. Nichols Street in the French Quarter.



But I've seen them uptown as well. More than just a few, in fact.  It's February, right?

It's pumpkinball season

No idea how this game is scored but I do know it involves throwing the pumpkin through.. or at least toward.. the hoop. There were seeds scattered all around under the basket.