Celebrating fall & family on Camp Lejeune

The fall season presents numerous occasions for family gatherings and recreation. Celebrations such as Halloween and Thanksgiving take place along with fall festivals, commemorating this season of harvests and changing colors. Autumn festivity was alive at the annual Pumpkin Bash at the Tarawa Terrace Community Center (TTCC) on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 20.

“Pumpkin Bash has been an annual Halloween family event for over seven years now,” said Jessica Anderson, TTCC supervisory recreation specialist. “This year we had about 1400 participants come out.”

The Pumpkin Bash featured crafts such as pumpkin painting, along with music, food, games, a bouncy house and plenty of spooky décor.

“This is our first year coming to it,” said Malik Marin, mother in attendance. “Our favorite part has been the arts and crafts.”

The TTCC staff was joined by volunteers from the Camp Lejeune community to host the plethora of activities for families.

“It’s always great to interact with the families,” said Omar Lopez, Pump

-kin Bash volunteer. “I am

passionate about sports and to be able to share that passion with these kids through the games we have is something special for me. Some of them have never held a basketball yet and seeing that happy expression on their face is something you never forget.”

The Pumpkin Bash proves to be memorable for many involved, including TTCC staff who are there each year to witness it.

“The most enjoyable part about Pumpkin Bash is seeing families doing activities together,” said Anderson. “This is why I do what I do. I love giving my community a reason to smile.”