Rebirth of the Pumpkin Patch

“Pumpkin Church” called it the fastest unloading in the 22-year history of the event – despite the heavy rain

By Tara Vocino

It was raining heavily, but approximately 100 volunteers still stepped in to help unload 4,000 pumpkins from a box truck outside of First Congregational Church on Saturday.

Pastor of First Congregational Church Saugus UCC Reverend Bill Ladd said it was so amazing how everyone pitched in, from the tall to the small, in the drizzle and the rain. “We had children from kindergarten through high school passing pumpkins from the truck to the pallets, being passed hand to hand – no matter how the rain came down – with their coaches, parents and families laughing and cheering and helping out as well,” Ladd said. “The clouds may have been gray but the spirit was bright all around!”

On behalf of First Congregational Church Saugus, he thanks volunteers so much. It was the fastest unloading in history – approximately an hour and a half.

“We couldn’t have done it without our wonderful community,” Ladd said. “And the second truck comes in two weeks – more fun to come!”

Pumpkin Patch Coordinator Carl Spencer said that even in the rain everyone came. “I didn’t expect everyone to show,” Spencer said on Saturday in the rain. “Volunteers look forward to it every year.”

Spencer said they are seeking volunteers on Oct. 12 at 9 a.m. to help unload the truck when 3,000 pumpkins will arrive – rain or shine.

Saugus Youth Cheerleader Avaleigh Kohr said she came to help in the rain. “They needed help rain or shine,” Avaleigh said. “I wanted to help.”

Her organization president, Gregory Bluestein, said this is one of their favorite days of the year in Saugus Youth Football and Cheer. “The foundation of these sports are teamwork, family and community,” Bluestein said. “Just like on the field or on the mats, this is an opportunity to teach kids what it means to be something bigger than themselves.”

The Navajo Reservation grows pumpkins in New Mexico. At the church, they are sold by weight, measured with a tape. “Throughout the country, pumpkins are sold through nonprofits,” Spencer said. “The church gets the proceeds of those sales.”

Pumpkins are sold through Oct. 31. After Nov. 1, the church will give out pumpkins free, but rarely are any left, according to Spencer.

Houston, Texas, resident Anya Barksdale, 3, picked a pumpkin for her best friend, Razzie Smith, 3, in the pouring rain.

Lynn resident Jasmine Smith said she feels honored to support a church that aligns with her faith. She attends Impact Church in Medford, which is a nondenominational space. As far as the Navajos, she feels a deep connection. “My family is from Taino, Jamaica, on my father Winston’s side,” Smith said. “It’s also an indigenous tribe.”

Volunteer/Church member Carol Gilmore was selling pumpkins on Sunday. “I always feel better volunteering, because I put a smile on people’s faces, and I put one on them,” Gilmore said, who has been attending church for eight years. “I drove by the pumpkins Saturday, and it looked like a Christmas miracle.”

Veterans Memorial Elementary School kindergartener Christian Peixoto, 5, came to choose a pumpkin with his family. His mother, Jeanine, said her son looks forward to coming every year. Christian likes the colors and thinks it’s cool.

Haverhill resident Luanna Wiswall said it’s nice that her daughter, Bianca, 2, picks pumpkins. Her father, Patrick, who grew up in the area, said it’s good for the community.

“It’s in the center of town,” Wiswall said. “It’s easy to drive by and stop.”