Pumpkin patch party

Danielle Switalski

The Thompson Falls Junior High auditorium was barely recognizable Saturday evening as it was transformed into a Halloween spectacular as local kids and parents gathered for Charlie Brown’s Pumpkin’s Patch party.

The gym floor was filled with tables decorated with pumpkins and Halloween décor and huge blowups spiders hung from the walls.  The stage, lined with scarecrows and pumpkins was filled with blow up Halloween characters including a vampire Mickey Mouse, an oversized Frankenstein and a pumpkin with a ghost popping in and out of it.  Most notable of the evening was by far the kids who came fully decorated in their trick-or-treat attire.  The floor was littered by fairies, ninjas, birds and vampires as over 100 people showed up for the event. 

The party was filled with fun and games for the children which ranged from bean bag toss and costume contests.  There was a bubble gum contest to see which kid could blow the biggest bubble and a hoola-hoop contest where the last kid to lose their hoop takes home a prize such as candy or toys.  The night also included costume contests, where the winners take home savings bonds donated by Valley Bank.  Winner of the seven and under costume contest was Ben Croft who was dressed as a colorful bird.  Four impartial judges were selected from the crowd to pick three of the best costumes in the group, then the crowd’s cheers picked the best costume.  Winner of the seven to twelve ago group was Abbie Croft also dressed as a colorful bird.

Four impartial judges were selected from the crowd to pick three of the best costumes in the group, then the crowd’s cheers picked the best costume.  Winner of the seven to twelve ago group was Abbie Croft also dressed as a colorful bird.

The evening concluded with piñatas smashed open to excited and candy-hungry kids.

The Pumpkin Patch Party is put on by Sam Bernhardt, Patti Jones and a group of volunteers, also known as the Monster Mash Committee.  They began putting on the fall event back in 2002.

Bernhardt and Jones moved here in 2001 when they noticed there weren’t any Halloween or Fall festivities for the kids besides trick-or-treating.  This led them to get a group of volunteers together to put on Charlie Brown’s Pumpkin’s Patch party.  Bernhardt and Jones even “footed the bill” the first few years the event was put on.  This year was the sixth annual party and local businesses now help keep the event afloat through donations.

“We have a list of people who donate.  And we have a little bank account, we try to keep it fairly cheap and inexpensive for the families,” said Jones who also said all proceeds go back into the account for next year’s party.

Reporter Danielle Switalski can be reached by email at reporter@VP-MI.com or by calling 826-3434 with questions or comments on this story.