SEYMOUR — The 56th “Annual” Seymour Pumpkin Festival will take place, rain or shine, on Sunday, Sept. 18, at French Memorial Park in Seymour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What started out in 1965 as a community gathering sponsored by the Seymour Garden Club to usher in the season, The Pumpkin Festival has blossomed into a fall-themed, family-friendly day welcoming neighbors from the local community, Naugatuck Valley, and beyond. This year’s Festival offers live entertainment, an expanded petting zoo, 9‑hole miniature golf, magic & roaming performances, children’s contests, arts & craft vendors.
There’s a mouth-watering variety of good eats from food booths run by local civic, school, non-profit organizations, food trucks, local businesses, and even some vegan and ethnic specialties. For the safety of our vendors, visitors, and volunteers, please do not bring bikes, skates, skateboards, scooters of any kind, OR PETS into the park on Festival Day (registered service animals only).
Entrance to the Festival is free, and free parking is available at Chatfield-LoPresti School, 51 Skokorat Street, with shuttle buses that will run throughout the day. Parking is also available in the downtown area with a short walk to the park. Please respect any posted “no parking” areas. Paid parking areas are not affiliated with the Festival. Cars parked around Festival entrances, the bus drop off, or blocking private property, will be towed.
The Festival will adhere to any state or local COVID mandates that may be in effect on September 18. The choice to mask outdoors or on a shuttle bus is personal; mutual respect is key.
A complete list of 2022 sponsors will be available on our website and social media. Like and contact us through Facebook (Seymour Pumpkin Festival) and follow on Twitter (@seymourpmknfest) for updates and information. Post your photos to #seymourpumpkinfestival.
If you want to be involved in the community, enjoyed the Festival experience, or have some expertise to help make it better, please consider volunteering for this special event through the website seymourpumpkinfestival.com.
The Royal Court kicks off the festivities at 10:00 a.m. escorted by Seymour Police and features 2nd and 3rd grade student representatives from Bungay Elementary School: King-Nico Snell, Queen-Ali Wieczorkowski, Prince Charming-Hudson Motyl, Cinderella-Emma Maler, Pumpkin Prince-Patrick Boyle, and Pumpkin Princess-Anabella Moreinas. Join in this special, traditional ceremony that officially opens the Pumpkin Festival in front of the bandstand.
Children’s contests and activities take place near the Headquarters & Souvenir Booth, located behind the first-base dugout and are held throughout day. There you can pick up a Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheet at Headquarters Booth and search for hidden clues as you roam the park. Entries for the Pumpkin Decorating and Scarecrow Contests must be delivered by noon for judging at 12:30 p.m. The children’s Costume Contest will begin at noon. Children can also enter a free “Guess the Goodies” treat contest.
This year’s “Pick of the Patch” tea-cup raffle is the largest ever, showcasing craft items donated by vendors; tickets are $1 for 2, or $5 for 12.
Be sure to explore all areas of French Memorial Park for new craft additions. The Festival will host 160+ booths featuring craft vendors selling seasonal and holiday wreaths, large & small wood & resin crafts, hand-sewn soft goods, handmade mixed media jewelry, artisanal food & baked goods, garden art, soaps & candles, recycled/upcycled crafts, pottery, original hand-painted artwork, carnivorous plants, and much more. The Association has a rigorous evaluation process, and the committee is proud to offer an interesting and eclectic mix of crafters to the Festival.
The Pumpkin Festival welcomes back Boy Scout Troop 11, Great Hill Hose Company, Great Hill United Methodist Church, SHS Honor Society, Seymour Republicans, and the Lions Club of Beacon Falls, who will be serving up their fan-favorites such as liver/bacon/onion sandwiches, egg sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked potatoes, chowder, meatball grinders, pumpkin pie, and fried dough. Festivalgoers can also expect savory fare with an ethnic flair such as Thai, Mexican, Polish, Colombian, Italian/pizza, as well as sliders, sausage, steak sandwiches, grilled cheese, french fries, barbecue, and vegan food trucks and booths. Also on the menu are specialties from Seymour’s‑own Jimmies Place, long-time Festival friends Meriano’s Cannoli truck, Liquid Lunch’s mouthwatering choices & mocktail selections, and Micalizzi’s famous Italian Ice. Other outdoor favorites include Jim’s soft-serve ice cream, gourmet kettlecorn, and crafted coffee, teas & non-acholic brewed beverages from Yellow King Brews.
Local musical talent, The Blue Collar Band, will be performing throughout the day, playing popular favorites, engaging the crowd and bringing the fun. Dance routines will be performed by students from Aimee’s Academy of Dance in Seymour, and Simply Dance Studio in Woodbridge. Be on the lookout for roaming entertainment from balloon artists, and Danny Magic will amaze at 2:00 near the tennis courts.
Two-by-Two Zoo Animal Haven is back for the 5th year bringing their unique group of animal friends. As a newly formed 501(c)3, their staff will educate on animal welfare and conservation, and answer questions about all of their familiar, exotic, and protected animal ambassadors. Admission to the petting zoo is $5/person for unlimited visits. If you’re up for a challenge, swing by the addition of a 9‑hole miniature golf course located on the tennis courts. Mini golf cost is $5 per game. Special activity booths include ceramic painting, a slime bar, face painting, tattoos & henna, caricaturists, and games.
Special thanks to Festival Partner Oak Ridge Waste & Recycling for their generous annual support, Tuttle Insurance Group for their long-time sponsorship, and new sponsor Yellow King Brews of Wallingford.
