11/02/2026
Halloween Candy Drop/Trunk or Treat 2026
BIG APPRECIATION AND KUDOS
Many of you were asking where the GIANT PUMKIN came from and if it was bought so here is the full story. Many months ago when the Bayard Beautification Committee decided to bring back the Annual Candy Drop, the brainstorming and groundwork began on how to make the return better than ever. Our Chairman Mark Anthony Diaz set out with a goal of making a way for the drop to be easier on the operator than in past years. After some creative thinking and losing sleep over trying to come up with the most appealing and easiest way to do the drop, the giant pumpkin was a dream that would soon come true.
Knowing that there would have to be specifics on the build taken into consideration like cost, weight limits, adequate help, and a good dry location to build he came up with a game plan. He contacted Miguel Trevizo, co owner of Mountain Ridge Ace Hardware, who has been a great supporter of our committee and a sponsor of every Candy Drop in the past. Miguel heard the proposal and had his store manager Tom Lemme make sure Mark had everything necessary to get the iconic pumpkin a reality. Thank you very much!
Then came the hard part, putting the ideas and blueprints on paper into effect. Thanks to the cooperation from the Bayard Maintenance Department, Sam Arellano, Mark was able to get the dimensions of the bucket truck needed to begin construction. He had several different great opinions given to him while pitching his ideas to other people he considered like minded in creativity, but his vision was set. With the help of a dedicated volunteer Lazaro Jr Palomarez (who also provided the workspace) and our Secretary Jose Diaz, the GIANT PUMKIN work of art was constructed in one weekend, with small finishing touches done in the evenings after he got out work.
It fit perfectly on the bucket and was safely secured.
During the drop the prop was a hit and the bucket operator Joe Chavez executed each drop with ease and perfection. Refilling the pumpkin was quick and simple. Joe even wore a green hat to mimic the pumpkin stem for us and there was even a trick drop that had the kids and families stunned.
Thanks to a member Chon Fierro and kind volunteer George Barral, our GIANT PUMPKIN project is safely stored and ready for it's next adventure and future modifications, maybe you'll see it out and about in the public eye sooner than you may think.
A very big THANK YOU to Miguel, Tom, and the helpful hardware folks at Mountain Ridge Ace Hardware for your sponsorship of the Giant Pumpkin that we will use for many events in the next several years to come.
Big KUDOS to Mark, Lazaro Jr, and Jose on bringing a dream to life!
