Inflatables along S Pine Street at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
By Kay Whatley, Editor
On October 7, 2018, Spring Hope, North Carolina held its annual National Pumpkin Festival. The streets were filled from the Opening Ceremony at 9am throughout the day, with live bands and announcements on stage, a parade at 1pm, and vendors, inflatables, and a book sale.
National Pumpkin Festival vendors along E Railroad Street, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Crowd, stage, along railroad tracks by library at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Aliens and more at this vendor on railroad tracks at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Vendor fundraising for local resident’s healthcare needs, National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Local hemp company’s vendor booth at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Vendors at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
National Pumpkin Festival 2017 crowd, including pup, in front of the town hall, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
National Pumpkin Festival 2017 crowd and more pups, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
ROTC drawing attention to their hot dog sale at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Decorated pumpkins at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Town Hall steps during National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
One of several Funnel Cakes vendors at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Line at the ROTC hot dog booth at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Adding gas to the kiddie train at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Downtown businesses set up sidewalk sales during National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Waiting for the parade at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Parade watchers line Main Street at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Spring Hope Fire Dept at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Library’s book sale during National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Pumpkins featured heavily, as the name would suggest. Local shops were decorated with pumpkins and cornstalks, as were the streets. During lunchtime, the Pumpkin Queens were announced. Little Miss Pumpkin Queen 2017 is Jacey Lucas, and Pumpkin Queen 2017 is Abby Darak.
The Pumpkin Queens announcement at National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
The pumpkin Weigh-in Contest, pumpkin Recipe Contest, and Pumpkin Decorating added to the day’s fun.
Annual information on the festival, past photographs, and updates may be found on this Facebook page.
Bicycles decorate telephone poles around Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Bicycles decorate telephone poles around Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Ed. Note: A drone hovered over the festival Saturday afternoon. A link to drone footage may be available before next year’s National Pumpkin Festival. If possible, it will be added here.
Drone (small dot) over National Pumpkin Festival 2017, Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.
