Today marks the official start of the fall season. But, for those in the Ohio Valley, the unofficial official barometer of the start of fall has always been the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival.
Now in its 57thedition, the festival officially gets underway Thursday with the ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. It is there the Pumpkin Festival Queen, Princess, and Mini-Miss will be presented, along with the trophy for the King Pumpkin the Founder’s Cup, plus second and third place trophies.
The weigh-in for the King Pumpkin contest is underway right now and will continue through 9 p.m., as long as participants are registered by 9 p.m. tonight.
The defending champion growers of last year’s King Pumpkin, Todd & Donna Skinner of Barnesville, grew a 1,994-pound pumpkin. It was their eighth time growing the King Pumpkin and their first victory since growing the record 2,150-pounder back in 2017.
Festival board Vice President Keith Williams explained that, despite not having a full festival in 2020, it was important to still hold the weigh-off for the King Pumpkin.
“We still had the weigh off for the growers of these pumpkins, because it’s not fair for them not to ave a place to weigh in because they spend a lot of money and time to grow these giant pumpkins,” Williams said. “We felt as a committee, we still wanted to do a weigh off, and pay and do the whole thing. We also had a group of businesses that stepped up and still wanted to buy and donate back because it was a great cause.”
The King Pumpkin contest is also part of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC), and the official results from Barnesville’s contest are submitted to the GPC. It’s a way to compete with fellow pumpkin growing enthusiasts throughout the world.
“We submit all of our results to the GPC, and they can see were they are at in the world standings,” Willams said. “For instance, there is a guy in Spain who has two pumpkins weighing 2,500 pounds. So, he is both in first and second place.”
Fun for the Entire Family
There are a number of contests, events, musical performances, and other entertainments on top at this year’s festival.
Thursday alone will feature the pumpkin decorating contest, baking contest, eating contest, a talent show, and a number of musical acts, capped by Deep Down Country at the Blue Moon Tavern from 9 p.m. until midnight.
It’s one of four shows playing simultaneously, scattered throughout different venues. The Shuman Band is playing from 8-11 at the Main Street Barrel House, Baranich, Gable & Lee from 8:30-11 p.m. on the Central Stage, and the Billy Brown Band from 9-11 p.m. on the Pumpkin Stage are also performing.
You can find a full list of entertainment at the festival’s official website.
Events continue throughout the weekend, including a giant car show, the 5K Run & Walk, along with the annual Pumpkin Parade. Williams pointed out the new start time for the parade of 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, a full hour earlier than normal.
This was done to allow participation from the Barnesville football team, which travels Saturday night to Steubenville to play Catholic Central.
Carnival-stye rides will again be offered by Kissel Amusements, which has teamed successfully with the festival the last few years to provide amusement rides, carnival games, and concessions.
“They’ve been with us for several years and we get a long like family,” Williams said. “They are down to Earth and run a very tight business.”
Williams noted that the Kissel’s are more than willing to lend their expertise when it comes to planning the midway section of the festival. The Kissels are three generations in the industry and have years of expertise.
“We value Randy’s opinion,” Williams said. “He does this for a living, and we do this four days out of the year. So, we ask his opinion on things, where to put and set things up.
“He always says he won’t tell you what to do, just give his opinion and we go from there.”
Taking Precautions
Williams noted that at the festival, there are no additional restrictions as far as masks, distancing, etc. However, the Sunday shuttle that transports people back and forth from the middle school parking lot to the festival does.
Anyone riding the shuttle will need to be fully masked in order to receive transportation.
“Since they are being transported via school bus, it falls under federal guidelines for school buses and they will need to wear a mask,” Williams said. “That’s really our only last-minute change to health precautions.”
While the King Pumpkin weigh in will experience some rain, the weather forecast for the rest of the weekend should provide the perfect backdrop for some much needed family and community entertainment for festival goes.
