Barnesville Pumpkin Festival facts for kids
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival is a super fun yearly event in Barnesville, Ohio. It's all about celebrating giant pumpkins and other cool things harvested in the fall! This festival has been happening since 1964. A local group organizes it, and about 100,000 people come to visit during the four days it runs.
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When Does the Pumpkin Festival Happen?
The Pumpkin Festival always takes place during the last full week of September. The official start, with a special ribbon cutting, is on Thursday. But local people can get a sneak peek and enjoy the festival a day early on Wednesday!
Where is the Festival Held?
The festival takes over the downtown area of Barnesville. This includes parts of Main Street and Broadway Street. Don't worry, there are lots of other activities and events happening all over town too! You can find plenty of parking, but most spots are privately owned and might have a small fee.
A Look Back: Festival History
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival started way back in 1964. It was first called the Ohio Fall Festival and was held indoors at a church. In the 1970s, its name changed to the Ohio Pumpkin Festival, and it moved outdoors to the center of town. Later that same decade, it became the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, which is what we know it as today! The festival has always been held in late September, except for one time. In 2020, the main festival was canceled because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the important "King Pumpkin Weigh-in" still happened!
Fun Festival Traditions
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival has some really cool traditions!
The King Pumpkin Weigh-in
One of the most exciting events is the annual King Pumpkin Weigh-in. This happens on the Wednesday before the festival officially opens. People bring their biggest pumpkins, and some of them have broken state and local records! These "King Pumpkin" contenders are so huge, weighing over 1,400 pounds (650 kg), that they can't fit on a regular scale. So, a special scale from a local funeral home is used to weigh them!
Opening Ceremony and Auction
The official ribbon cutting ceremony is held the next day, on Thursday. A special person, like the festival president, the mayor, or a parade marshal, does the honors. On the last day, Sunday, there's an Annual Pumpkin Auction. Local businesses bid against each other to win the chance to display the winning pumpkin. They also get to sell its seeds!
Pumpkin Bread and More!
The Olney Friends School is famous for bringing over 700 loaves of delicious pumpkin bread to sell at their booth. Students bake all this bread themselves!
Rides and Games
Of course, no festival is complete without fun! There are many games, rides, and other activities set up during the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival. Some popular rides you might see include the G-Force, The Pumpkin Ride, The Umbrellas, and the Monkey Cages.
