Every year, Ai Orthodontics, 550 Harrison St., Emmaus, hosts a pumpkin decorating contest. The pumpkins are creatively decorated by referring dentists in the Lehigh Valley – this year with a record 67 entries. The pumpkins are then photographed and judged, both in person and on social media. When the judging is complete, the decorated pumpkins are taken to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital for the pediatric patients.

Judges this year included Dr. Phillip Grubb, Barbara Baringer, Hayden Hinde, Emmaus Main Street Partners, Penny West, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Philanthropy, Ziera Wolf, Altitude Marketing, Community Outreach, Wendy Body, board member of Women’s 5K Classic, Hope Strohm, business manager at Mid-Atlantic Technology Professionals, Rupa Parikh, Larry and Patricia Herald, Sue Munroe, youth services librarian at Emmaus Public Library, Brent Ladenberg, Emmaus Borough Council, Lindsey Kleinburg, Emmaus Arts Commission and board member at Juxtahub and Debbie Galbraith, editor, East Penn Press and Salisbury Press.

Pumpkins were viewed on the Ai Orthodontics Facebook page and judged individually rather than by dental office.

Ai Orthodontics thanked all participating offices for their support for the contest and the joy it brings to the children at the hospital.