A Day of Fall Fun and Community Spirit at the Outdoor Discovery Center
On October 19th, 2024, Baumann & DeGroot was excited to join the Outdoor Discovery Center’s Treats & Trails event, a beloved annual celebration of Halloween fun and community spirit! From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., families and friends gathered to trick-or-treat along the scenic trails, engage in games, and enjoy outdoor activities that connected them with nature—and we were thrilled to be part of it all! With around 3,000 attendees and perfect fall weather, the day turned out to be one of our most memorable community events of the year.
As an HVAC company, we’re used to keeping families comfortable year-round, so we decided to go with a “Fire and Ice” theme for our costumes to represent our heating and cooling services. Our team embraced the spirit of Halloween, dressing in fiery reds and icy blues to highlight both the warm and cool sides of our work. The costumes were a big hit, helping us connect with families in a way that was both fun and a playful nod to our expertise. It’s not every day that we get to dress up and engage with the community in this way, so we embraced it fully!
Treats & Trails Photo Stop Attraction
One of the main attractions at our booth was the photo stop we created, which was a huge hit with kids and adults alike. We built a pumpkin patch using real straw bales and orange refrigerant tanks decorated as pumpkins, complete with painted jack-o’-lantern faces. It was a unique twist that brought a bit of Baumann & DeGroot to the pumpkin patch, and it gave families a spot to capture festive photos. We loved seeing everyone stop by, pose, and share laughs, creating memories that we hope will make the day extra special when they look back on their photos.
Of course, Halloween wouldn’t be complete without treats! We passed out candy to all the trick-or-treaters who stopped by, filling their bags with a little Baumann & DeGroot sweetness. Seeing the smiles on their faces reminded us why we love being part of events like this one—it’s about connecting with our neighbors, sharing in the community spirit, and making sure every kid walks away with a smile (and a handful of treats).
When the day wrapped up, we wanted to keep the spirit of community going. We donated the straw bales from our booth to the Outdoor Discovery Center, where they’ll continue to have a purpose as bedding and enrichment material for the center’s animals. This small gesture is just one way we try to give back, and we’re grateful to the Outdoor Discovery Center for finding a way to extend the day’s festivities to support their mission and animals.
The Outdoor Discovery Center’s Treats & Trails created an incredible event that had something for everyone along the trails. Trick-or-treating stations dotted the paths, giving kids a chance to gather goodies while surrounded by beautiful autumn scenery. Beyond candy, there were plenty of activities to keep families entertained: exciting games, treasure hunts, up-close encounters with animals, and toasty marshmallows for s’mores. For those who craved a cooler treat, ice cream was also available, adding to the variety of snacks and fun for every taste.
Reflecting on the day, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Seeing so many people from our community come out to enjoy the event reminded us why we love being part of Holland. Treats & Trails 2024 gave us a chance to connect in a meaningful way, share some Halloween fun, and represent Baumann & DeGroot beyond the work we do every day. We’re grateful to everyone who took time to visit our booth, chat with us, and enjoy the pumpkin patch. From all of us at Baumann & DeGroot, thank you for a wonderful day, and we can’t wait to see you again next year for more fall fun!
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