BOYNE CITY — A colorful fall tradition is once again bringing smiles to residents as the Challenge Mountain Resale Store unveils its annual outdoor pumpkin display.
Now in its third year, the display began in 2022 as a volunteer appreciation event featuring pumpkins painted as Minions from the movie “Despicable Me.”
The positive community response led staff and volunteers to make it an annual event, expanding it each year.
Per an Oct. 23 news release, this month the team painted 125 pumpkins — up from 100 last year — each with its own creative design.
“Each pumpkin is a little work of art,” said Alaina Farrington, resale store assistant manager. “It’s so much fun to involve our volunteers and to share their creativity. Every Minion is unique, and the whole display brings joy to people heading to work and school.”
Over the years, themes have included football, volleyball, homecoming, water tubing and Halloween ghosts. The pumpkins also make an appearance in Boyne City’s annual Harvest Festival — this year as a rock band.
A collaboration with Boyne City High School’s Rambler Sports Network will again bring the Minions to life in a short video to be released on Facebook later this month.
New this year, volunteers constructed what Farrington described as the “world’s smallest suspension bridge” as part of the evolving display.
The Challenge Mountain Resale Store serves as the main funding source for the nonprofit’s adaptive recreational programs. The festive display not only celebrates creativity and community spirit but also helps raise awareness of Challenge Mountain’s mission to provide inclusive recreational opportunities.
“We get comments all the time about how much the display makes people smile,” Farrington said. “It’s become something that everyone looks forward to, so watch for the evolving theme throughout the month of October.”
The Challenge Mountain Resale Store is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Donations are accepted on Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 9:30 a.m. until full. More information is available at challengemtn.org.
