Little T’s Mini Golf in Mountain Home is bringing back its popular painted pumpkin contest for the fifth consecutive year, benefiting foster children and families served by The Call in Baxter and Fulton Counties. The annual event encourages community members to decorate artificial pumpkins and raise funds through a voting system.
Participation in the contest is straightforward. Entrants can purchase an artificial pumpkin—available at local retailers such as Hobby Lobby—decorate it in any style, and drop it off at Little T’s on Highway 5. The drop-off window is open from September 1 through September 20. Voting begins September 1 and runs through October 2, with votes priced at $1 each or 10 for $5. All proceeds from the contest go to The Call, a nonprofit organization that recruits and supports foster families while assisting children in the foster care system. Winners, determined by the most votes received, will receive trophies during a planned announcement on Sunday, October 4.
The painted pumpkin contest was first introduced in 2022 by Little T’s owners Scott and Brandi Tavegia. That inaugural year saw more than 55 entries, including a winning pumpkin painted to resemble the Minions, submitted by the Miller family. Mountain Home’s VA clinic and Arvest placed second and third, respectively. Since its inception, the contest has grown to become a signature fundraiser for Little T’s, raising thousands of dollars annually to support foster care services in the Twin Lakes area.
Alongside the pumpkin contest, Little T’s hosts the "Lighting the Way to Foster Care" mini-golf tournament. Combined, the events have raised significant funds for The Call. The 2024 edition netted approximately $4,600, with $2,500 coming from pumpkin votes alone, despite a smaller turnout of pumpkins and mini-golf teams compared to previous years. Organizer Jenny Seal hailed the success of the event, noting that community support made "less become more."
In 2024, The Call oversaw 26 foster homes providing care for 41 children and teens in Baxter and Fulton Counties. Despite these efforts, local data highlights a critical need for additional foster families. In 2023, Baxter County reported 47 children in foster care, with 23 of them placed outside the county due to a lack of available local homes.
Little T’s Mini Golf, formerly known as All About Fun, was acquired by the Tavegia family in February 2022. The business is named after their son Andrew, who was born with Down syndrome, and has become a cornerstone of community engagement. Beyond hosting fundraisers, the venue is recognized for hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2025, the Mountain Home Observer named Little T’s its Entertainment Venue of the Year.
For more information about the contest or how to participate, call Little T’s Mini Golf at 870-701-3066.