The National Pumpkin Festival returns to Spring Hope, North Carolina for its 47th year. The annual festival will be held October 5-6, 2018 in downtown. Every year, this wonderful family event meshes the best of fall and community gathering.
The Spring Hope Area Chamber of Commerce organizes the National Pumpkin Festival and it takes over downtown with vendors, inflatables, entertainment, and fun activities. The two-day format offers outdoor live music on Friday and a full day of activities Saturday.
In preparation for the October festival, the Pumpkin Queen Pageant takes place the weekend prior to the festival:
The 2018 Pumpkin Queens will be crowned on Saturday, September 29, 2018, 6:30pm, in the auditorium of Spring Hope Elementary School, 401 McLean Street, Spring Hope NC.
This years pageant features six contestants for Miss Pumpkin Queen and five for Little Miss Pumpkin Queen.
Downtown festivities begin Friday, October 5, 2018, with daytime activities and a street dance featuring the Motown and beach music sensation, The Chairmen of the Board (7-10pm). The street dance is free. Bring your shaggin’ shoes and join the fun in pumpkin-laden downtown. Arrive early and purchase goodies from the food vendors available.
On Saturday, October 6, 2018, enjoy more live music featuring local entertainers and a phenomenal gospel group with members ranging from 4 to 90 years of age. Check out the pumpkin weigh-in, pumpkin recipe contest, and a pumpkin decorating contest. Or, grab meals/snacks from onsite food vendors, and shopping the booths manned by local crafters and artisans — 45 vendors offering goods and Christmas gifts too. Line the streets for the parade just after lunch and cheer on the many parade participants representing Spring Hope and surrounding areas. All day, young children will find a variety of bouncy inflatables at the edge of the festival, Parents can sit back and let the kids expend their energy between festival activities.
A full schedule of activities is included below.
Call the Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce at 252.478.1919 for more information.
The Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce website is here, and they post updates on the Chamber Facebook page and the festival Facebook page.
The Town of Spring Hope news web page is www.springhope.net/news-and-events. The town is on Facebook here.
Full 2018 National Pumpkin Festival Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, activities are downtown around Railroad Street public areas.
Friday, October 5, 2018
9am — Pumpkin Recipe Contest at the Community Building
noon-10pm — Food vendors open for business
noon-10pm — Family Tent available for lunch and dinner
5-7pm — Bouncy Houses and Kids’ Train
5-10pm — Chamber Tent open with souvenir t-shirts, visors and caps
6-7pm — Music provided by DJ Andrew Cone
6:30pm — Welcome by Jan Mills, Chamber President
6:35pm — National Anthem by Jerenae Raeford, 2018 Miss Wilson
7-10pm — CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD CONCERT
Note that 50/50 Raffle Tickets may be purchased from the Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce tent throughout the day and event information will be available.
Saturday, October 6, 2018
8am — Pumpkin Weigh-ins at Edwards, Inc. (4119 Sheep Pasture Road, Spring Hope NC)
9am — Welcome by Jan Mills, Chamber President
9:05am — Music Provided by DJ Andrew Cone
9am-5pm — Craft Vendors Open
9am-5pm — Food Vendors Open
9am-5pm — Chamber Tent open – souvenir t-shirts, visors and caps
10-10:30am — St. John United Holy Church Choir
10-11am — Pumpkin Creation for the Kids at Town Hall
10am-noon — Pumpkin Roll for Cash Prizes (for kids and adults) located next to the family tent
10am-2pm — Hula Hoops and Balloons (for the kids) at The Depot
10:30-11:30am — Hispanic Dance Group
11:30a.m. – noon — Zack Wynne performance
noon — WRAL, Tar Heel Traveler, Scott Mason will be at the Chamber tent to meet and greet everyone
noon — Introduce Miss Pumpkin Queen & Little Miss Pumpkin by Sylvia Williams, Pageant Coordinator
— Announce Winners of Pumpkin Weigh-In, Pumpkin Creations & Pumpkin Recipe Contest by Karen White
1pm — FESTIVAL PARADE announced by Sylvia Williams and Mark Cone
2:30-4pm — Music provided by DJ Andrew Cone
2:30pm-CLOSING — Bouncy Houses and Kids’ Train
2:30-5pm — Craft and Food Vendors remain open
4pm — Announce Winner of SO/SO Raffle, which will be at the Chamber Booth
Note that Muddy The Mudcat will be around the festival throughout Saturday.
Also Saturday, 50/50 Raffle Tickets may be purchased from the Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce tent throughout the day and event information will be available.
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Source: Karen White, Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce
