The community is invited to the 11th Annual Altru Family YMCA Pumpkins for Parkinson’s Day on Wednesday, October 7, at the Altru Family YMCA, 215 N 7th St., Downtown Grand Forks. The event will feature pumpkins on display all day, a short program at 12:00 noon, lunch, and Al’s Pumpkin Dessert Contest.

Pumpkins on Display: The giant pumpkins will be on display in front of the YMCA between approximately 9:00 am and 4:00 pm for viewing. Large, small, and medium-sized pumpkins will be available to take home for a free will offering. Children can pick a tiny pumpkin to keep at no charge while they last.

Lunch and Program: A short program will begin at 12:00 noon, followed by pumpkin stew lunch (free will offering) and dessert tasting.

Al’s Pumpkin Dessert Contest: Features small samples of pumpkin desserts made by volunteers. Samplers can pay $5.00 to taste all desserts and will vote for their favorite in each category. Chef award winners for “Best Tasting” and “Best Presentation” will each receive a beautiful hand-crafted stained-glass pumpkin ornament by glass artist Robyn Riggin (AurGlass Studio, Devils Lake, ND). The dessert contest is named for Al Pearson, a long-time YMCA Parkinson Wellness supporter who passed away April 5, 2023. The contest will run between 12:00 noon and 1:30 pm.

Proceeds will go toward specialized equipment, transportation assistance, instructor training costs, financial program scholarships, and operating costs for the Parkinson Wellness Recovery and Rock Steady Boxing programs.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made online, by phone, by mail or in person with a Y volunteer or at the YMCA. The Altru Family YMCA is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. YMCA programs and services are funded by membership dollars, grants, donations and fund raisers.