Little T’s Mini Golf in Mountain Home is once again hosting its popular painted pumpkin contest, now in its fifth year, to support area foster children and families. The event benefits The Call in Baxter and Fulton Counties, a nonprofit organization that recruits and assists foster families and serves children in the Twin Lakes region.
Participating in the contest is straightforward. Community members can purchase artificial pumpkins, decorate them in any style, and drop them off at Little T’s, located on Highway 5, between September 1 and September 20. Hobby Lobby is stocking artificial pumpkins for this year’s competition. Voting runs from September 1 through October 2, with each vote costing $1 or 10 votes available for $5. All proceeds from the voting benefit The Call. Winners will be announced on Sunday, October 4, and trophies will be awarded to the creators of the top pumpkins.
The tradition began in 2022 when Little T’s owner, Scott Tavegia, invited the community to submit painted pumpkins. That inaugural effort saw more than 55 creative entries displayed on custom-built shelves inside Little T’s party building. The Miller family won the first contest with a pumpkin painted to resemble the Minions, while the Mountain Home VA clinic and Arvest Bank placed second and third, respectively.
The event has since evolved into an annual fundraiser, held in conjunction with the “Lighting the Way to Foster Care” mini-golf tournament. In 2022, nearly $4,000 was raised, with approximately $2,500 coming from pumpkin votes. Despite a smaller turnout in 2024, the event still brought in $4,600, demonstrating strong community support for the cause.
Organizer Jenny Seal noted that the event’s reach goes beyond the festive decorations, addressing pressing needs in the local foster care system. As of 2024, The Call was supporting 26 foster homes caring for 41 children and teenagers in Baxter and Fulton Counties. However, the demand for foster care remains high. In the previous year, 47 children needed foster placement in Baxter County alone, with 23 of them having to be placed outside the county due to a shortage of local foster families.
Little T’s Mini Golf, which is owned by Scott and Brandi Tavegia, was named the 2025 Entertainment Venue of the Year by the Mountain Home Observer for its ongoing community involvement and inclusive employment practices, including hiring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Those interested in learning more about the painted pumpkin contest or participating can contact Little T’s at 870-701-3066.