ASHLAND — Remember Peggy’s Pumpkin People in downtown Ashland?
The pumpkin-like figurines, first introduced to Ashland in September 2024, have been selected as one of three finalists for the Best Downtown Placemaking award from Heritage Ohio, according to a press release from Ashland Main Street.
“The Best Downtown Placemaking is presented to an individual, organization, and/or municipality that is actively engaged in efforts to enhance their downtown’s appearance with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being through a program of streetscape,” reads the announcement.
Awardees will be announced Oct. 15 at Heritage Ohio’s annual conference in downtown Canton, which is free and open to the public.
Why apply for an award?
Sandra Tunnell, executive director of Ashland Main Street, applied for the award after witnessing the adoration from residents and visitors.
“The internet was overrun with people sharing photos of their time with the Pumpkin People; bringing whole families, from babies to great grandparents; not only spending time in downtown Ashland and taking those photos, but also then exploring our downtown, eating in our restaurants, and shopping in our shops,” wrote Tunnell in her application.
(The story continues below the photo gallery.)
She said state-wide Facebook groups made posts about Ashland and its “perfect” setting.
“Throughout the fall of 2024, our downtown was booming with visitors walking along Main Street, searching out all the People for a photo,” she wrote.
The Pumpkin People were made possible by a donation from Peggy Yoder. The Ashland County resident had visited Gatlinburg, Tenn. last year. That’s where she discovered pumpkin people lining the city’s streets.
“Peggy wanted to do something for our city; she wanted to bring those Pumpkin People to downtown Ashland,” she said, adding Yoder contacted the manufacturer and bought them (after gaining approval from Ashland Mayor Matt Miller) using endowment money she had inherited through her mother.
As a nod to her mother, she bought 10 displays in all, including a farmer, a grandma reading to her grandchild, a musician for the downtown stage, and more.
Tunnell said the pumpkin people are a welcome addition to the downtown streetscape, which have typically gone bare during autumn months.
The executive director even awarded Yoder Ashland Main Street’s “Foundation of Main Street” award in 2024 for her “dedication to keeping our downtown vibrant and attractive.”
Will they be back?
Yes. (And expect more!)
Tunnell said Peggy’s Pumpkin People will return to downtown Ashland — “with special surprises” — before the Ashland County Fair begins, which is held Sept. 14 to 20 this year.