Carmel ‘Trumpkin’ creators aim to provide a good laugh

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CIC COM 1031 Trumpkin
A Halloween display along W. Main Street features President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. (Photo by Adam Aasen)

Two Carmel residents are making national news for their Halloween display along West Main Street.

Just west of the Carmel Arts & Design District, passersby can see a life-size dummy of President Donald Trump. His head is a pumpkin with a scowling face carved into it and his hair is a tuft of hay. He’s got a full suit with his famous extra-long necktie. Tiny baby doll hands have been added for extra comedic effect.

The “Trumpkin” was taken down briefly because of rainy weather. A sign said, “Gone to Mar-A-Lago.” But the display returned with a new friend: A gourd-headed Vice President Mike Pence dummy peering around a nearby tree.

“It’s kind of like Pence is looking from behind the tree because he knows he’s going to be president soon,” said Carmel resident Sheryl Brewer, who stopped to take a selfie with the display.

Carmel residents Mike Biro, 36, and Ashley Snedecker, 35, created the display. Biro built the frame out of wood and Snedecker carved the pumpkin. She saw a similar design online that she used for inspiration.

“We just wanted to put a funny twist on a scarecrow,” Biro said.

Snedecker and Biro shopped for supplies and found cheap suits and hands to perfect the look.

“You can get a lot of good stuff at Goodwill,” Snedecker said.

Biro and Snedecker said they aren’t making a political statement and just wanted to have a little fun.

“We’re thankful that nobody has done anything bad to it yet,” he said. “We’re not Hillary (Clinton) fans. We’re not Trump fans. We figure no matter which side you are on — and we don’t hate either side — it’s good for a laugh.”

The display has gone viral. Photos and stories have appeared on TV news, the Huffington Post and even overseas websites. Some people have said the display is disrespectful, but Biro said 90 percent of the people have enjoyed it, no matter which party they support.

“Most of it has been really positive,” Biro said. “Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, you can get a laugh out of it.”

Snedecker, who has lived in the Main Street house for more than eight years, said she hopes plenty of trick-or-treaters knock on their door this Halloween.

“I hope so,” she said. “We have a lot of candy to give out.”


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