On November 1st, 2025, we participated in Pumpkin Smash, a Newton Tradition, at Newton City Hall.The first Saturday after every Halloween, residents donate their pumpkins to be brutally smashed by the LigerBots! After, the pumpkins are composted and recycled. 

Pumpkin smash machine

The pumpkin smash design, modeled around a battering ram, uses a huge log to do the smashing action. Hundreds of community members showed up and donated their pumpkins over the weekend, and watched them satisfyingly get smashed. Afterwards the smashed pumpkins are  put in compost piles. A LigerBots member said, “It was the coolest thing since sliced bread!”

Kids interact with Binary Beads activity

We also hosted our well-known outreach activities for kids, Skeleton Hands and Binary Bracelets. Along with seeing their pumpkins get obliterated, they also learned STEAM concepts, leaving them well-informed when they left.

In addition, the LigerBots connected with parents and students, sharing information about our team and introducing FLL (First Lego League)—a youth robotics program that’s a perfect entry point for younger kids interested in STEM and robotics. Parents were enthusiastic to hear about our upcoming FLL Qualifiers and Championships, where the FLL Championship will include a STEAM Expo filled with dozens of exciting activities!

Wide shot of the event’s activity

Overall, Team members had a lot of fun, and thought that Pumpkin Smash was a big success. Member Will S said, “The event was spectacular, we crushed a lot of pumpkins! Member Jacob B followed up with, “Pumpkin smash was really fun, I made a lot of friends”

 Event sign-up booth

The event was a huge success – Over 25 team members made the event and made it special for all of our fans. Stay tuned for our upcoming FLL events; the FLL Scrimmage and Qualifier, on November 10th and November 22nd, respectively.