Pumpkin people return to New Bremen

NEW BREMEN — The New Bremen Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) and Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce are again partnering for the annual Pumpkin People Contest. The CIC and chamber have partnered for this seasonal favorite since 2009.

“From the early contest years to current day displays, our local businesses have really stepped up their game,” stated Angela Hamberg, CIC board member.

This year, there will be 13 displays by 15 participating businesses and organizations.

• Auglaize Mercer Family YMCA “Donut Forget To Visit The Y”

• Auglaize Board of DD “Measure Twice, Carve Once”

• Brookside Laboratories “Jumanji 2020”

• Elmwood Assisted Living of New Bremen “Where Our Residents Are Greater Than Any Treasure”

• Gilberg-hartwig Funeral Home

“Covid Joe & Carol Maskin’

• Holy Redeemer Church “A Person’s A Person No Matter How Small”

• Lather: Hair Co. For Him & Her “I’d Like To Solve The Puzzle”

• New Bremen Coffee Co., Willyums Bake, Shop and Alt Space “We Go Together Like Rama Lama Lama Ka Dinga Da Dinga Dong”

• New Bremen Pizza Hut “We Want Pizza!”

• New Bremen Public Library “Mask Me What I’m Reading!”

• PT Services “Corona de Vil”

• Western Ohio True Value Hardware “Mom’s Disappearing Stash”

• 17 West “The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”

Each year, New Bremen businesses and organizations are invited to participate in this annual favorite. This year, because of COVID-19, voting will be available online via a Facebook photo album set up on the New Bremen CIC Facebook page. The business with the most “Likes” will receive a $100 gift certificate from Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce. A 2nd prize will be awarded for Honorable Mention to be determined by the committee. Voting will take place from Saturday through Sept. 25. The winners will be announced on Sept. 28.

This year’s ‘Resident Prize’ will be randomly selected from entries who post a selfie with any of the displays. This idea was inspired by last year’s New Bremen cross country team who took display selfies on their ‘Fun Run Friday’ practice.

The CIC and chamber encourage individuals to not only view the creative displays online, but to also see them up close, whether during a walk, a bike ride or driving through town.

“Photos do not clearly show the detail and creative efforts for many of the displays,” added Hamberg. At right are some entries from previous years