A child at the Bottineau Neighborhood Association pumpkin giveaway tells her parent which pumpkin she wants to pick out. (Mark Peterson)
The Bottineau Neighborhood Association’s (BNA) annual pumpkin giveaway on Saturday, October 25, took place at its usual spot: across from the California Building, 2205 California St. NE, and in front of Mary Johnson’s sculpture, “Max Rabitat.” The big rabbit was a beacon for families, especially children, milling around the orange gourds, heaving the ones they thought they could lift.
The 90 pumpkins, averaging 10-20 pounds each, were a gift of Walt Sentyrz of Sentyrz Liquor and Supermarket, with the delivery assisted by members of the Northeast Minneapolis Kiwanis Club. More than 70 people stopped by during the two-hour event.
Among the Association members present were president Miriam Slayhi and board directors Tim Kremer and Mel Ikola, who oversaw the distribution. This was the Association’s 20th giveaway.
By noon, there were 30 pumpkins left, and the giveaway closed with all the pumpkins being claimed. Attendees were given the freedom to choose turning their pumpkin into decoration, desserts or anything they wanted.
The event started at 11 a.m. with 90 pumpkins, but by noon, pictured right, they were down to 30. (Mark Peterson)