Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival Included Vendors, Activities, and Music

There is something for all ages, from the pumpkin decorating to the parade and activities in between! Check out the festival from September 30 to October 1, 2016.

This festival takes over downtown each year along 118 W Railroad Street, Spring Hope NC.  The streets were bustling!

The Pumpkin Cruise-in brought classics to Pine Street on Saturday, October 1, 2016. Chevy, Ford, and more took part in the cruise-in, including one car-turned-trike!

 

Shiny cars on display at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina.
Shiny cars on display at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina.

 

Antique car at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Antique car at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.

DJ Barry Atkinson and Liquid Pleasure kicked off the music Friday, with The Anchormen Gospel Quartet and Seventh Hour Groove Band performing Saturday, split between the main stage and the depot deck.

Main stage at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina.
Main stage at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina.

 

Music on the railway porch at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Music on the railway porch at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.

The Pumpkin Creation Contest on Saturday brought kids and pumpkins together with various supples. People were in line at Town Hall on October 1, 2016, for a while before the contest began!

Crowd waiting for the pumpkin decorating activity to start at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina.
Crowd waiting for the pumpkin decorating activity to start at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina.

So many vendors! All along the railroad tracks and side streets visitors could find colorful displays and interesting arts, crafts, and unique items available for purchase. Food vendors along the tracks offered everything from funnel cakes and Italian sausage to deep fried ribs, alongside mainstays like turkey legs and cotton candy. At one food cart, there were even freshly made candy apples waiting to be wrapped! Yes, vendors had some unique items for sale! Some were even giving away balloons, literature, Bibles, and more.

Vendors lined the streets at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Vendors lined the streets at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.

 

A section of vendors at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.
A section of vendors at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.

 

Aliens and more for sale at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Aliens and more for sale at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.

 

Local art for sale at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Local art for sale at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.

 

The Gideon International vendor at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.
The Gideon International vendor at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.

Next to the Thrift Store on Ash Street, inflatables drew kids and their caretakers to jump and play. The weather kept things cool-ish, so it was a good weekend to be outside and enjoy the changeover from Summer to Fall.

Inflatables at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Inflatables at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.

In addition to the Pumpkin Weigh-in Contest, these amazing gourds came out for the festival and were available for all to see while walking around downtown.

Exceptional pumpkins, locally grown, displayed at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Exceptional pumpkins, locally grown, displayed at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.

Even the Spring Hope businesses dressed up for the weekend, with pumpkins, straw, and much more in the storefronts along Railroad and Pine Streets.

Shop dressed up for October in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Shop dressed up for October in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley.

Many of the festival visitors brought their four-footed canine friends along. Dogs big and small wandered the festival on the end of their owners’ leashes. How wonderful that the event was pet-friendly.

Shoppers and their pups during the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Shoppers and their pups during the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.

Along the railroad tracks, the Spring Hope Chamber and other vendors talked with passersby, while these two took a break to relax and play a game on a convenient game board.

Relaxing by the railroad tracks at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.
Relaxing by the railroad tracks at the 2016 National Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope NC. Photo: Kay Whatley.

 

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About Kay Whatley 2309 Articles
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.