CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — Every October, folks in Jim Thorpe patiently await the return of Pumpkin Man, and no, he's not a decoration.
"Everybody thinks I'm a mannequin. He can't be real because he sits so still," said Stosh McFarland, Pumpkin Man.
For the last 5 years, Stosh McFarland has taken up this spot outside the House of Jerkey, thrilling the locals and, of course, the visitors.
"I made the costume 15 years ago. I had to form it with some styrofoam and basically just came up with the idea and said that's it, I'm doing this, and this mask just became iconic. Everybody just said I love it," said McFarland.
Many who stop to admire his display don't see the beware warning until it's too late.
"I could sit out here a couple of hours and only see three or four people, but it's those three or four people I change lives with because they got a smile," added McFarland.
But this whole street performance isn't for the smiles and scares.
Pumpkin Man says he does it for the local veterans, "If I didn't do it, who would? Places like VALOR are actually monitoring and helping them get their fresh start. That's why I like baking the VALOR. I like backing the VFW. Everybody is giving they're little extra help to help these guys out, and that's why I do it!
For McFarland, the simple interactions with those who walk by him on the street or stop to take a picture mean the world to him, "Honestly, I get, I get more out of this than what I put out, I think. I get to see the laughter, I get to see the happiness, I get to see people getting startled, and to me, it's fun."
So the fun and fright will continue on Broadway as McFarland puts on the same costume he has for the past 5 years and raises money for our veterans who have given so much.
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