Autumn Treasures
For me, fall isn’t just about sweater weather, cozy evenings, and hot cocoa (though I’ll never say no to those). It’s about The Gr8 Pumpkin, an event I’ve been part of since I was 16. What started as helping out became something I return to every year without question.
If you’ve ever been to the event, you might have met Bob the Pumpkin. He’s playful, a little goofy, and always ready to chat with kids. That’s me behind the scenes. I’ve been Bob’s voice for years. There’s a moment that happens when a child realizes he’s talking back, and it never really gets old.
Every year, I build something new. Props, backdrops, small scenes people can step into for a moment. Families don’t just pass through. They stop, take pictures, and carry a piece of it home with them.
And then there are the pumpkins.
I usually carve more than a dozen each year for a Nightmare Before Christmas display, with Jack, Sally, and Zero set up on hay bales. It takes hours. More than I ever expect when I start. But once everything is lit and people begin gathering around it, the time disappears. It becomes something shared.
One of my favorite parts is what I think of as the first moment. The instant someone arrives. Lanterns glowing, carved pumpkins lining the path, a quiet sense that something different is about to happen. That first impression matters more than people realize. It sets the tone before anything else has a chance to.
The Gr8 Pumpkin is more than an event to me. It’s where I grew up. Where I found people who became part of my life. Where I get to give something back, even in a small way.
Every fall, I get to build something that only exists for a short time. And somehow, that makes it feel even more meaningful.
If you ever find yourself looking for a place that feels a little different, a little more magical, you can find more at Gr8Pumpkin.com. Stop by and say hi to Bob!