The Quirky Missouri Town That Transforms Into A Pumpkin Wonderland Every Fall
Autumn wouldn’t be the same without all things pumpkins – from carved pumpkins glowing on doorsteps on Halloween to fresh pumpkin pie straight from the oven. One small town in Missouri pays homage to the season’s most popular, plumpest fruit with its annual Pumpkin Festival. The Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival in Missouri runs for a single weekend, however, and it’s one of those annual traditions you definitely don’t want to miss.
Hartsburg’s a tiny village of just under 90 residents, but it packs a whole lot of personality and fun into its small community, including the annual Pumpkin Festival.
A treasured town tradition since 1991, the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival makes its return, after a year off in 2020 due to the pandemic, on October 9-10, 2021. Both days run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Villagers, and visitors from around Missouri, descend on the tiny town that transforms into a pumpkin wonderland, decorated with thousands of pumpkins.
The festival stays true to its name, celebrating with a full menu of pumpkin-themed activities. Activities traditionally include painting pumpkins, pumpkin pie eating contests, and pumpkin carving.
Festivities begin on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with the crowning of the Pumpkin King. After the king has been crowned, a parade marches through town, kicking off at the trailhead for Katy Trail.
Anyone, including vendors who want to show off their goods, can participate in the parade. To preregister, send an email to jericooper1015@gmail.com. (While preregistration is encouraged, it isn’t required.)
The weekend festivities will also include more than 100 vendors, selling everything from handmade crafts to artwork. Bring along a mighty appetite too, as you’ll definitely want to try the food that will be sold by vendors.
Have you been to the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival in Missouri? What’s your favorite part of the long-time small town tradition? Share your experience in the comments! For more fun this season, plan a visit to The St. Louis Renaissance Festival.
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Address: Hartsburg, MO 65039, USA
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