NEW BREMEN — The New Bremen Community Improvement Corp. has partnered with the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce for the 11th annual New Bremen Pumpkin People Contest.

Sixteen New Bremen businesses will decorate pumpkins and display them. Participating businesses include Lather Hair Co., Western Ohio True Value, The Bicycle Museum, YMCA – South Branch, Brookside Laboratories, New Bremen Public Library, Topsy Turvy Toys, Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home, The Crown Store, New Bremen Junior High, 17 West, St. Paul United Church of Christ, Elmwood Assisted Living, New Bremen Coffee Co., Marketing Essentials and Lock One Theater.

Area residents are encouraged to visit and vote for their favorite Pumpkin People. Voting will take place through Friday, Sept. 28. Votes can be cast at each participating business and at the New Bremen Public Library. Some of the Pumpkin People will be on display at Lock One Park, at the intersection of state Routes 66 and 274.

“The Pumpkin People Contest gets local businesses involved in the fall fun and is an excellent way of setting the mood for the New Bremen Pumpkinfest, which starts on Friday, Sept. 28, and runs through Saturday, the 29th.” said Logan O’Neill, executive director of the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce. “This is the 11th year for the contest, and this year, creativity is already flowing for pumpkin person ideas from our local businesses. In past years, individuals have driven from as far away as Dayton to come see the displays.”

Three ballots will be selected from all of the votes and the voter on each ballot selected will win chamber gift certificates for participating in the voting. The winning Pumpkin Person will be notified by end of the day, Monday, Oct. 1. The business with the winning Pumpkin Person will receive a $100 chamber gift certificate.