The Killam RCMP Detachment is holding a pumpkin carving contest for area youth 17 and under this October.

After the success of the birthday greetings program the Detachment members did earlier this year, Corporal Trent Cleveland, Acting Commander of the Killam RCMP Detachment, recently went to his members and office staff for ideas for a new way to engage the community.

Admin staff member Debra Albers suggested a pumpkin carving contest, Cleveland says, and the Detachment members ran with it.

There will be three categories: traditional, scariest, and most unique. Cleveland says even smaller children can draw a traditional jack-o-lantern design, which he says parents can then cut out for them.

Participants will bring their carved pumpkin entries to the detachment starting Monday, Oct. 26, where they will complete an entry form and have their photos take with their pumpkins.

Members will put all the entries on display at the Detachment, and Cleveland says, “I hope the entire Detachment yard is filled with them.”

The last day to enter will be Thursday, Oct. 29, and the detachment members will do the judging and award the prizes on Oct. 30. Participants can then pick up their pumpkins and take them home for Halloween, or the detachment members can dispose of them.

Cleveland says that the contest has already created some buzz in the community, and community sponsors have come forward to enhance the contest with additional prizes and other support.

Prizes include gift cards, and RCMP apparel, with the winners receiving certificates, and an RCMP coin.
“We have four newer members at the detachment,” says Cleveland, “and this is a way for them to meet more people in the community.”

He says he’s hoping to get entries from the entire Detachment coverage area, Amisk through to Daysland, including Heisler, Forestburg, Galahad, and Alliance. “This is open to everyone.”

Cleveland says he already has an idea for another community contest for Christmas, too.

As the Killam and Viking Detachments work together, the Viking Detachment will be holding their own contest for residents in that area as well, with the same guidelines, dates, and prizes.

Cleveland says the Viking community, too, has stepped up to sponsor the contest there, too, and that he’s gratified to see so much support from both communities.