Culture
108th Circleville Pumpkin Show Set For Oct. 15-18
By: Athens Messenger staff reports
Posted on:
photo: Nancy Radcliff
Go Ohio Valley is a free app produced by Adams Publishing Group of Ohio and presents an avenue to explore numerous categories and activities in the region. This week’s feature listing the Circleville Pumpkin Show in Circleville.
The world-famous Circleville Pumpkin Show is set to kick off next week for its 108th year on the streets of downtown Circleville.
Held annually the third week of October, “The Greatest Free Show on Earth” offers free admission, events and live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday each year.
In 2014, the Pumpkin Show will offer a special treat for visitors at its Parade of Bands at 8 p.m. Thursday. The Ohio State University Marching Band will be making its third appearance in Circleville, showcasing its one-of-a-kind performance style to crowds along the parade route.
The 108th Circleville Pumpkin Show will kick off Wednesday morning with the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In, where area pumpkin growers vie for the prize of Biggest Pumpkin.
Opening day also features high school juniors and seniors competing for the title of Miss Pumpkin Show, an event that draws thousands to the Main Street Stage to support their favorite candidate.
Two parades per day march through the Circleville streets based on different themes, from the Queens Parade to the Parade of Bands, the Baby Parade and the Pet Parade.
Other events throughout the four-day event include a Big Wheel Race, a pumpkin pie eating contest, a hog calling contest and more. The Circleville-Pickaway Visitors Pavilion also offers a variety of information and entertainment throughout the festival with concert and dance performances, pumpkin carving and the Pick of Ohio Video Showcase.
All this free entertainment also blends with hundreds of vendors offering rides, merchandise and food — lots and lots of food. Guests should be prepared not only to indulge in their favorite fair cuisine but also try a sampling of pumpkin-flavored novelties, everything from pies and ice cream to Pumpkin Burgers, Pumpkin Chili and the ever-popular Pumpkin Doughnuts from Circleville’s own Lindsey’s Bakery.
The Circleville Pumpkin Show offers something for everyone from about 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day of the festival. For more information, visit on the Web at www.pumpkinshow.com.