The second annual Magical Glass Pumpkin Patch returns to the front lawn of Los Gatos High School this weekend to dazzle and delight participants of all ages. The lawn will be decorated and lit by night with about 2,000 sparkling, hand-blown glass pumpkins perched on bales of hay. But the most miraculous item on display will be a delicate, glass Cinderella pumpkin coach, complete with glass mice and maybe even some prancing horses, too.

The glass pumpkin patch event begins with a reception Oct. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m., but no sales will take place at this time. It's a way for people to pick out which pumpkins they like best before sales begin Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The large, salmon-colored pumpkin coach featuring filigree, stained-glass windows and clear-glass wheels is an enchanting and elaborate all-glass piece celebrating Cinderella's ride to the ball. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this item will benefit Los Gatos High. It will be sold during a live auction Oct. 17 at 1 p.m., along with a handful of dainty glass slippers. Many of the items to be sold have yet to be completed.

Over the summer and after more than 100 hours of labor, the approximately 20-pound coach was made with the collaborative talents of local artists who call themselves the "dream team." They include Tom Stanton, Gigi Erickson, Brian Howie, Ken Mollenauer and Shelly Monfort.

The coach—minus the missing mice and horses—has been on public display for the past few weeks at Willow Street Pizza and is currently located in the front window of the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company. It's expected to be sold for as much as $3,000, says Stanton.

A portion of the proceeds from the entire event, presented by Holy City Art Glass, benefits Los Gatos High. The local artists of Holy City Art Glass, owned by Stanton at 22900 Old Santa Cruz Highway, create and sell handmade blown-glass art and custom stained glass. The artists have not only committed to providing their unique merchandise for this fundraiser, but they've also committed to raising at least $10,000 for the school.

Stanton has a personal investment in the cause, since his children have attended and continue to attend the school. He also teaches art-glass classes at Los Gatos High through the Los Gatos­Saratoga Community Education and Recreation Department and coaches track at the school, too.

The glass pumpkins range in price from $30 to $500 and vary from a golf ball to a beach ball in size. No two glass pumpkins are exactly alike.

"Glass blowing is a 4,000-year-old artistic technique that has really gained in popularity in the United States the past few years," Monfort says.

To make a glass pumpkin, a glob of clear molten glass is heated to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and attached to the end of a hollow pipe. Rolling the pipe back and forth and using human lung pressure through the pipe, the glob is transformed into a bubble with the help of molds.

The ball is reheated in a kiln many more times, and by the end of the process can weigh more than a bowling bowl. At least three people are needed to make one large pumpkin. To add color or metallic tints, the pumpkin is reheated, and chunks of melted colored or dichroic glass are layered on top.

"The stem is the trickiest part of all," says Stanton, since the pumpkin risks shattering as the stem is being placed on top.

Glass art is not an easy profession to make a living at, Monfort says, especially since glass and propane are expensive and each piece undergoes a trial-and-error process before one aesthetically pleasing item is finally produced.

Glass pumpkins are a Bay Area phenomenon, Monfort says, and they also make fitting holiday, wedding and special occasion gifts since they come in a variety of colors.

"It doesn't have to be just a fall item," says Erickson, a 1978 graduate of Los Gatos High.

Doug Ramezane, a Los Gatos High assistant principal, says proceeds from the event go directly back to the students. This year, a portion of the funds will help enhance the visual and performing arts departments.

"The artists provide a great service for us," Ramezane says. "And the pumpkins they produce for us are great pieces of art."

In addition to those who created the glass pumpkin coach, this year's artists also include Dr. Kevin Calvert, Kevin Chong, Patrick Mullen, Curt Walton, Mark Walton, Mike Walton, Stephanie Walton and Tracey McClendon.

For more information, visit www.holycityartglass.com.