A mystery donor left a quintet of pumpkins on a bridge this past weekend along 190th Rd. headed out of Marion. Some residents think it could be an effective way to brighten the community.

Tina Steele, who lives nearby at W. Santa Fe and Vine Sts., remembers something similar happening last year, and thinks it could make a nice tradition.

“People like to see that when they’re out and about,” she said. “It kind of brings a smile to your face instead of depression.”

Placing them on the bridge provides a way for people to enjoy the pumpkins, resident Margaret Wilson said.

“Our pumpkin decorator, I love it,” she said.

Using pumpkins to brighten public spaces is a good alternative to destroying pumpkins be when they’re no longer needed, Wilson said.

“I actually didn’t know about them,” she said “I wish I did. I guess some nice person put them there so they wouldn’t get smashed.”