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Presque Isle Pumpkin Stroll to feature 300-pound pumpkin

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PRESQUE ISLE -- A spooky trail through the woods will be aglow with jack-o-lanterns leading up to the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse on Saturday, Oct. 14.

The second annual Presque Isle Pumpkin Stroll will start at 7:30 p.m. from the Presque Isle Marina for a quarter-mile walk to the lighthouse, which many believe to be haunted. The event will conclude at around 9 p.m.

Event organizers are seeking pumpkin carvers to submit their creations for display along the trail. Pumpkins are available for purchase at The Portage Store and Deli, 5472 E. Grand Lake Road, located right at Presque Isle Harbor.

When carving is completed, please drop off pumpkins to Jill VanAssche at 6253 E. Grand Lake Road, Presque Isle. Pumpkins should each contain a battery-operated candle or glow stick, and if you intend to pick up your pumpkin after the event, please put your name on the back in permanent marker.

In addition to the Pumpkin Stroll, a 300-pound pumpkin will be coming up from Howell to be auctioned off. The grower is Don Bourdeau, who owns a home on Grand Lake.

VanAssche started the Pumpkin Stroll last year, with the help of friends and family and generous community members.

"I couldn't pull this off without the help of my family and the people that live around here," said the Presque Isle resident. "It was my idea, but it takes a lot of volunteer time, too."

Her husband Brad is one of those loyal volunteers, who carved many pumpkins last year, including a depiction of the Mona Lisa.

Bill Bolyard and his wife Jennifer own The Portage Store and Deli. He explained that last year's event was so popular that they couldn't wait to help out with this year's event.

"There were cars parked all the way from 638, on both sides of the road, all the way to the lighthouse, this parking lot was full, ours was full, it was crazy," Bolyard said. "People started coming into the store after they had walked the walk, and they were talking about how wonderful and great it was."

Bolyard talked about the nonprofit that raises money for special events like this on in Presque Isle.

"One thing led to another, and we started Presque Isle Funraisers, which is a nonprofit," Bolyard said. "We raise money for the fireworks, Jill's event, and also the 5K run. I know Jill spent a lot of her own money last year doing it, so that's why we started to help sponsor that."

Donations are welcome, in many forms, including pumpkins.

"Peltz Farms (of Rogers City) donated pumpkins," said Brad VanAssche. "So we want to give a shout out to them."

"We have collection boxes here," Bolyard said of The Portage Store and Deli. "I got 100 pumpkins from Jeremy Werth (of Alpena) that we're selling and raising money also for the pumpkin walk."

He and the VanAssches are excited to expand the event each year.

"What I'd like to do next year is promote it early in the year, and get people to compete in a pumpkin-growing contest for the biggest pumpkin," Bolyard added. "I think that would be a lot of fun."

He said some pumpkins, if given the right fertilizer and growing conditions, can grow up to 40 pounds per day.

For more information, visit The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse Pumpkin Stroll on Facebook. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes, and children in costume will receive free ice cream at The Portage Store and Deli.

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