PumpkinFest returns to Evans City
From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, more than 100 craft and food vendors, in addition to a variety of activities, will line up on East Main Street in Evans City to kick off the fall season with the town’s fourth annual PumpkinFest.
The activities include pumpkin carriage rides around the festival, a large game area for children, miniature golf and a children’s tractor pull. Foam parties are slated for 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, which are a huge hit with children, said Molly DiFiore, vice president of Evans City’s events committee.
“We are a family-friendly event and we really try to have something for everyone,” DiFiore said. “Everyone brings pumpkins or fall decoration with them, so it’s a very festive time.”
“We always try to bring in different events every year,” DiFiore said.
New this year is live chain saw carving and blacksmith demonstrations throughout the festival. This also will be the second year for the festival’s art show. Information for submitting art is available on Facebook, DiFiore said.
On Sunday, in addition to a pie-eating contest, a car cruise is planned at the event, as in previous years.
“Last year, the weather was gorgeous and the streets were lined with all types of classic cars,” DiFiore said.
The food vendors at the festival offer a range of different options, from barbecue and burgers to Vietnamese cuisine and funnel cakes. Amish furniture, candles, local honey and the classic pumpkin pastries are among the items for sale at the event.
DiFiore said PumpkinFest will informally kick off with the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department’s all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast taking place from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the department’s fire hall. It costs $5 for the buffet.
Also throughout the weekend, there will be live music and a book sale at the Evans City Public Library, located at 204 S. Jackson St.
The PumpkinFest is a result of the event committee’s efforts in 2022 to launch a new community-oriented festival after Evans City’s long-running Oktoberfest celebrations came to an end.
DiFiore said that Pam Greenawalt, president of events committee and owner of P&B’s Sweets and Eats, initially formed the group that conceptualized a PumpkinFest for the town.
This year is PumpkinFest’s first after the event committee officially acquired a 501c3 nonprofit status, DiFiore said.
“We really want this to be just an event to give back to Evans City, the community members — just to let everyone come out on the streets, hang out, enjoy, but also to bring people who are not familiar with Evans City into the town to see how it’s growing and how it’s rebuilding,” she said.
DiFiore said the event also helps give back to community organizations like the Evans City Area Volunteer Fire Department, Evans City Public Library and EDCO Park.
The festival is free to attend. Also free of cost are the carriage rides, as well as the different demonstrations and games available.
“We want it to be as open and accessible as possible,” she said. “You can really come and just walk around the festival with your family and enjoy the day.”
For more information on PumpkinFest, visit the event’s Facebook page.
