×

St. Mary’s Grade School in Centralia holds first Pumpkin Drop

By Bruce Kropp Oct 26, 2023 | 11:16 AM
Centralia City Firefighters drop one of the pumpkin packages that included a parachute. Photo by Pat Hodges.

Pumpkins were falling from the sky at St. Mary’s Grade School in Centralia on Wednesday.   It was part of the school’s first-ever Pumpkin Drop.

The competition was won by the kindergarten class which saw its pumpkin survive a 75-foot drop from the Centralia Fire Department’s ladder truck.

School officials say the goal was to pack the pumpkin well enough to sustain a 50-foot drop. The methods of packing ranged from stuffed animals, bubble wrap, pillows, balloons, and blankets just to name a few. Some of the boxes attached parachutes to the top of their boxes. Once each box was dropped the class had the option to open the box or go for a bigger challenge and drop the box from 75′. The kindergarten class pumpkin was the only one who withstood the 75′ drop. They received a trophy and will be receiving a popcorn and soda party.

In conjunction with the Pumpkin Drop, the school also held a Kiss the Pig contest to help raise funds for events for the students throughout the school year. Each student was challenged to collect money and the top two students who brought in the most money from each class were able to pick someone or themselves to kiss a pig. In addition to that, the class who brought in the most money will be rewarded with a “Pig Out” party. First grade won that title and will get to party next week.

St. Mary School would like to thank everyone for their donations and the Centralia Fire Department for bringing the ladder truck today to make the Pumpkin Drop possible.

Pumpkin crash landings. Photo by Pat Hodges.


Victorious kindergarten class. Photo by Pat Hodges.


And some got to kiss a pig. Photo by Pat Hodges.