A little fall spirit, a lot of carved pumpkins and a desire to bring the community together helped make the first pumpkin walk at Minot Air Force Base a reality, thanks to the initiative of one military spouse, Faith Seaborn.
Faith whose husband, 2nd Lt. Justin Seaborn, is an active-duty Air Force member assigned to the 741 Missile Squadron, wanted to create an opportunity for base residents to enjoy some extra fall fun on Minot AFB. With coordination and support from the 5th Mission Support Group Commander the idea became a three-day seasonal display featuring 53 carved and decorated pumpkins.
For Faith, the idea was about more than pumpkins and Halloween decorations. It was about creating a welcoming environment where members of the Minot Air Force Base community could come together and enjoy the season.
Having experienced the challenges of getting to off-base events, Faith understood that not every military family has the time or ability to travel into town for seasonal activities which she herself really enjoyed. She remembered what it was like to be a young Air Force couple, still learning the area and figuring out how to get involved in the community.
“We know what it’s like to be that A1C couple and not be sure where to go or how we’d make it to the events that weren’t just down the road from us,” she said.
With that in mind, Faith began developing a plan to bring a little extra autumn atmosphere directly to the installation. She researched the proposed location, reviewed weather forecasts, developed cost projections and gathered footage of the area to help present her idea.
With assistance from Melinda Ahrens, wife of the 741 MS commander, Faith connected with Colonel Richard Zeigler of the 5 MSG to obtain permission to use the space. With only a few weeks remaining before the event, Faith then focused on coordinating details and spreading the word throughout the base community.
The effort brought together volunteers and participants who contributed pumpkins, carved designs and helped prepare the display. Faith initially hoped to involve 12 squadrons, with each contributing 10 pumpkins, for a goal of 120 pumpkins.
Although the final count fell short of that original target, the community still contributed 53 pumpkins in just a few weeks, a result Seaborn considered a success, particularly given the shorter planning timeline.
The weather presented another challenge. Cold temperatures and persistent rain made preparations less than ideal on the first day, but the effort continued. Those who dropped off pumpkins also helped with setup, lending a hand despite the wet conditions.
Faith expressed gratitude to everyone who participated, emphasizing that the event would not have come together without the community’s willingness to contribute their time and creativity.
The three-day pumpkin walk provided an opportunity for base residents to enjoy a seasonal display close to home, adding a cozy but spooky touch to the installation during the fall season.
For military families who may find it difficult to attend events in the surrounding communities, efforts like the pumpkin walk can help make life on base feel more connected and welcoming. The project also demonstrated how an individual idea, supported by installation leadership and community volunteers, can grow into an event that brings people together.
Faith hopes the pumpkin walk will become a recurring fall tradition at Minot AFB. With an eye toward next year’s event, she has already marked her calendar to begin planning in August, although she anticipates needing additional help as she prepares to begin an internship.“I would definitely love to see this happen again!” Faith said.
While she hopes to expand participation and attract more squadrons in the future, Faith remains appreciative of the volunteers who helped make the inaugural event possible. “I’m truly just thankful for everyone who did participate in carving pumpkins and I hope more people will want to do it next year!” she said.
Looking ahead, Faith believes the location has the potential to become something even bigger for the base community. “I think that space has the potential to be a phenomenal location!”
The first Minot AFB pumpkin walk began with one spouse’s desire to bring a little extra fall magic to the base community. Through Faith Seaborn’s initiative and the support of volunteers and base leadership, 53 pumpkins helped turn that idea into a reality, creating a space for residents to enjoy the season together. What started as a simple idea has the potential to become a cherished fall tradition, reminding the Minot AFB community that even the smallest efforts can make a place feel a little more like home.
