Evans City Events Committee planning biggest event of the year
Every year, the committee that organizes Evans City PumpkinFest tries to go bigger. And this year, the group got a grant from Experience Butler County that allows them to do just that.
The new addition to the September fall-themed event is the Pumpkin Pops and Rocket Tops, which will feature a concert headlined by Chris Jamison, from Season 7 of “The Voice,” which will be followed by fireworks. Molly DiFiore, vice president of the Evans City Events Committee, said this aspect of the event is possible thanks to the grant.
DiFiore said the organization adds new attractions to continue growing attendance, which has been increasing each year since the festival began.
“Last year we were estimating we had 7,000 people over the two days,” she said. “We try to stay super family-friendly and as free as possible so everyone can attend.”
The Evans City PumpkinFest is Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s the fifth year for the event, and, DiFiore said, it is still planned by almost all of the same people who planned it the first year.
PumpkinFest will feature almost 100 craft and food vendors, live music on stage, a book sale at the library and numerous children’s games. It’s free to attend, and, she said, there are activities for people of all ages.
Event highlights include the pumpkin pie eating contest and the foam party, which gives children a fun way to end the day.
“We’ve always gotten some really good pictures of fantastic foam party on Saturday,” she said.
There will be a car cruise Sunday. The Evans City Volunteer Fire Department is hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast for $5 Saturday morning.
Finally, new this year, the event features a pumpkin pie social with free pumpkin pie for attendees on Saturday, starting at 6 p.m.
“We’ve grown every year, and it has been amazing to see the turnout and community involvement,” DiFiore said. “It’s a great weekend.”
For more information on Evans City PumpkinFest, including its schedule of events, visit its website at pumpkinfest.evanscityevents.org.
