SEYMOUR — The Seymour Pumpkin Festival makes a triumphant return this weekend, marking the 55th anniversary of one the Valley’s most beloved fall traditions.
COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the festival last year, but the event is back this year, better than ever, organizers said.
While current COVID mandates do not require people to wear masks or face coverings outdoors, festival organizers said those who are unvaccinated or feel more comfortable approaching vendors and visitors can feel free to wear them, when social distancing isn’t an option.
The festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine) Sunday (Sept. 19) at French Memorial Park, located at the junction of Routes 8 and 67, and Spruce Street. The park is poised to be transformed into a Halloween haven of arts, crafts, food and plenty of fall-themed family fun. Admission is free.
The seven-acre park will lend its unique topography to Halloween-themed sections, like Goblin’s Gulch, Witch’s Walk, Scarecrow Alley, Cinderella Lane and Pumpkin Patch. Tucked into those sections will be more than 120 food and craft vendors peddling their wares, including handmade jewelry, original hand painted artwork, garden art, soaps, candles, wood crafts, seasonal wreaths, hand-sewn soft goods, carnivorous plants and so much more, according to festival committee member Dina Zygmunt.
A variety of food booths will be manned by local civic, school and non-profit organizations, including Boy Scout Troop 11, Great Hill Hose Co., Great Hill United Methodist Church, Seymour High School Honor Society and the Lions Club of Beacon Falls. Those organizations and others will tempt fairgoer’s palettes with returning fan favorites like fried dough, liver and bacon sandwiches, egg sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, baked potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Zygmunt said festival-goers can also expect “some savory fare with an ethnic flair” featuring Polish, Puerto Rican and Thai food booths, as well as food trucks featuring Italian Ice and cannolis, to name a few.New this year will be Griffin Hospital’s Mobile Vaccination Team to provide first or second COVID vaccines, offering the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnsons shots. Festival visitors who are immuno-compromised can discuss booster shots with Griffin staff, as well. The booth will be located a short walk from the shuttle bus drop off area, and just inside the Garden and Nichols streets gate.
Local band, Oddfellas, will be performing throughout the day, along with dance routines by students from Aimee’s Academy of Dance. Two-by-Two Zoo Animal Haven will bring its petting zoo for $5 for unlimited visits. Visitors can also look out for roaming entertainment from balloon artists and a magician, along with a virtual-reality video experience, photo booth and ceramic painting.
And what’s the Pumpkin Festival without pumpkin decorating and costume contests? Children’s contests and other activities will take place near the Headquarters & Souvenir Booth, located behind the first-base dugout. 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. The “Pick of the Patch” tea-cup raffle showcasing craft items donated by vendors also returns, and children can also enter a free “Guess the Goodies” treat contest.
The Royal Court featuring town elementary school students will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m., with a police escort. This year’s royals hail from Chatfield-LoPresti School’s 2nd and 3rd grades and feature (King) Ryan Edwards; (Queen) Delaney Christiani; (Pumpkin Prince) Zackary DeAngelis; (Pumpkin Princess) Brianna Dunaj; (Prince Charming) Camden Cunningham and (Cinderella) Corinne Clement.
For safety’s sake, bikes, skates, skateboards, hoverboards or pets (except for registered service animals) are not allowed into the park the day of the festival, according to Zygmunt.
Street parking is limited and free shuttle bus service will be available from Chatfield-LoPresti School, 51 Skokorat St.
Festival organizers lauded Liquid Lunch, Tuttle Insurance Group and Bethany Farm & Nursery for their generous support. Festival-goers can “like” and contact the committee through Facebook (Seymour Pumpkin Festival) and follow on Twitter (@seymourpmknfest) for updates and information. Festival photos can also be posted on social media with the tag #seymourpumpkinfestival.
The Pumpkin Festival began in 1965 by the Seymour Garden Club as a beautification project. Proceeds from the event are reinvested into community betterment projects and student scholarships, and have benefited countless Valley organizations and beyond.
For more information, visit: seymourpumpkinfestival.com
