Clifton Lutheran Church launched its annual pumpkin sale today with 1,400 pumpkins displayed on its front lawn at 150 Humphrey St.
Another 600 pumpkins will be delivered and sold later in October.
“A big shout-out to the Marblehead High School Interact Club, Scout Troop 79, parishioners and neighbors who helped us unload all the pumpkins,” Rev. Jim Bixby told the Current.
This is the seventh year that Clifton Lutheran has hosted its pumpkin sale with proceeds going to a Navajo reservation in New Mexico. By the end of this year’s sale, the church will have sent more than $100,000 to the community.
“We’ve been seeing a lot more people interested in Indigenous People’s Day [Oct. 9], especially as a town that had a large presence of the Massachusetts tribe,” Bixby said. “You may ask, ‘What can I do, when that population’s gone?’ This is something you can do. Buy a pumpkin that will benefit a community that would otherwise have really high employment.”
The pumpkins will be on sale through October.
“You can buy one weekdays after school until evening and weekends, noon ’til sundown,” Bixby said. “There’s also a self-serve option any time.”
The “patch” features new decorative pumpkins this year, including some in the shape of a starfish.
“I think Marbleheaders might like that,” Bixby said. “They’re so cool and unusual.”
As for cost, there’s a “pumpkin for any budget,” Bixby added.
“You can spend $12 and come home with three decorative pumpkins, or you can spend $100 and cover your own lawn with pumpkins,” he said.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
