The Whole Town Celebrates Fall At The Great Pumpkin Festival In Crete, Nebraska
By Delana Lefevers|Published October 02, 2019
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
‘Tis the season for harvest fun! One of the fall’s most beloved crops is the venerable pumpkin, which features prominently in all kinds of autumn activities. There’s a town in Nebraska that transforms into “Pumpkin Town” for one weekend each year, and it’s a magical event that the entire family will love.
Come out this weekend to the city of Crete, Nebraska for the 5th annual Great Pumpkin Festival. The city's 7,000 or so residents all pull together to make this huge party happen each year, and the 2019 edition is set to be the best yet.
The fun starts months and months before the festival. The community pumpkin patch grows many of the orange gourds that are used in the festivities, and the whole town is invited to help pick the pumpkins in the days before the festival begins.
Local farmers, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to donate pumpkins to the festival as well. The city's goal is that every child goes home with a free pumpkin to enjoy for the harvest season and Halloween.
You don't have to live in Crete to enjoy this epic fall party. The town rolls out the orange carpet, so to speak, for anyone who wants to celebrate the season.
The Great Pumpkin Festival is said to be the fastest-growing festival in the state, and if you've attended in previous years, you'll no doubt agree once you see what's planned for 2019.
The festival takes place on the first full weekend in October every year. In 2019, that is October 4-6. Most of the events take place on Sunday, but you can come out on Friday and Saturday for haunted houses, the Mayor's Fun Run, a pancake breakfast, and more.
Early on Sunday morning, the Pumpkin Blitz brings all of the pumpkins to the festival. Volunteers drive around to pick up donated gourds from 8 to 10 am, and donators can also bring their pumpkins to the City Park.
The rest of the day is dedicated to tons of harvest-season fun. Carnival games, live entertainment, a craft show and farmers market, and a car show and shine will all make the day one to remember.
The town also hosts events like a scarecrow competition, pumpkin competition, a pumpkin carving demo, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin pie-eating contest. There's something here for the whole family to enjoy, and admission is free! Games, vendors, and food require cash.
