Pumpkin Walk: New DDA event set for Saturday in IM

IRON MOUNTAIN -- A new event is bringing the Halloween spirit to Iron Mountain's downtown.

The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority will host its first Pumpkin Walk from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in the downtown. The event is sponsored by the First National Bank & Trust.

"We wanted to do something fun this fall -- similar to Harvest on Hughitt," DDA Program Director Mindy Meyers said.

"We are so pleased to work with First National Bank & Trust to offer this new family-friendly event to the downtown," DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen added.

Activities for the day include the Spooky Downtown Window Decorating Contest. Participating businesses will create festive window displays that will be judged by public.

Voting began Sunday online and will run until the day of the event. Ballots will also be available at the downtown stage, as well as businesses during the walk. Only one ballot is allowed per person; multiple votes will not by counted, the DDA advised.

"We are excited to see what our local downtown businesses come up with and think that the contest is a great way to create a cozy unity in our downtown while we enjoy the fall weather," Meyers said.

The first-place winner will receive a $400 mini-grant and the runner-up will get a $200 mini-grant.

"Thanks to First National Bank, we are able to award these great prizes," Williamsen said.

While strolling throughout the downtown, children can collect goodies at the Trunk or Treat at the downtown stage on Iron Mountain Street.

"Local businesses will also be decorating their trunks or displays to hand out their treats," said Meyers, noting the trunk decorating contest will also be judged by spectators. Voting will run during the entire walk. The top vote-getters will receive the same mini-grants as the window display winners.

Winners of both contests will be announced on Halloween, Oct. 31.

Businesses can still register for the window and the trunk-or-treat contests online.

Several shops will pass out treats to visitors as well.

The DDA will conduct a costume contest from 3 to 4 p.m. at the stage, with all ages welcome. They will award prizes for both children and adults.

Everyone is encouraged to bring their carved Jack-o-lanterns to the downtown stage for the event. "We want to line the stage and around the area to create a fun Halloween atmosphere," Meyers said.

A map of participating businesses will be uploaded to the DDA website next week.

The Dickinson County Library will also feature some fun Halloween-themed activities during the day, including Ghouly Glowing Golfing and a Spooky Story Stroll, with pages of a Halloween story displayed on various storefronts downtown.

"We are encouraging everyone to come and enjoy the festivities," Meyers said.

"Thanks to our sponsorship -- we are so lucky to work with such a generous community," Williamsen added.

For more information, including business entry forms and voting ballots, go to downtownironmountain.com/pumpkin-walk.