Pumpkin Smash
The Broad Ripple Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual Pumpkin Smash event on Sunday, October 20th, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Half Liter Beer and BBQ Hall on Winthrop Avenue. Now in its fourth year, the event is a fundraiser designed to support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) projects in Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Midtown schools. Funds raised through the event will help provide resources and programs for schools including Shortridge High School, Purdue Polytechnic High School, and elementary schools 43, 48, and 55.
“The idea was to find a fun, family-friendly way to raise money, and pumpkin smashing was the perfect fit,” said Judy Weerts Hall, Senior Manager of Public Relations for the club. Participants can take part in the signature pumpkin drop from a 20-foot lift, where they get to smash pumpkins as hard as they can. “It’s very cathartic,” Weerts Hall added. Participants can even personalize their pumpkins by writing words or drawing on them before smashing.
For those who prefer to stay on the ground or are under 18, there are smaller baby pools where children can smash pumpkins safely. “We have lots of family-friendly activities planned, including games, crafts, a costume parade, and a performance by Silly Safaris,” said Weerts Hall. In addition to these activities, there will also be a silent auction, which is live now on the event’s website, featuring a range of items up for bid…