Those are some pretty cool pumpkins guys. Every year I promise myself that in the spring I will fly a kite and in the fall I will carve a pumpkin. Every year I lie.
I got roped into making this last year at work.
Even better, cut the “lid” on the bottom. Place the candle in the center of that, then lower the entire pumpkin around it. Now you can use the pumpkin stalk as a convenient handle.
I would think that would compromise the structural integrity of the pumpkin. 
Just sayin’.