By the side of the runway at the St. Ignatius Airport people gathered, waiting for a plane to fly low and throw a pumpkin to the ground. The game was to guess which of the 100 squares outlined on the airport grass the pumpkin would land on and buy a $10 chance on that square of squashed pumpkin. The winner took half of the pot, and the other half went to support Good Old Days fireworks. 

The St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 4th annual event, and they sold 400 spots on the board. After the pumpkin dropper made a couple of misses, four winners were declared. The event included cast iron skillet throwing, pumpkin painting, food and helicopter rides.  

Stuart Morton, chamber member, explained the event had a number of sponsors from around the community and gathers momentum every year. Local pilot Tom Hanson opened his hanger up for the event and welcomed people to enjoy his old soda fountain.  

The Brett Thoth Foundation also joined the event providing hundreds of free coats, helicopter rides and food. Thoth died in an airplane accident in 2014, and the foundation was started to support flying events and increase interest in aviation.  

“It’s a great fall event, and it brings the people together in Mission,” Morton said. 

    Tate and Luke Rollins paint their pumpkin during the Pumpkin Drop at the St. Ignatius Airport on Oct. 4. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Kaelyn Teeple and Maya Nace hold up their freshly painted pumpkins during the Pumpkin Drop event. (Emily Messer/Leader)