About this time every year, the streets of Circleville shut down, the regular traffic is cleared, and lucky students from surrounding schools are released for the rest of the week to attend the festivities. Everyone knows that its the greatest time of the year, its time for the Pumpkin Show!
If you've never been, it's pretty easy to guess what it's all about, the Pumpkin Show is a 4 day gathering in downtown Circleville for those who appreciate all things pumpkin!
The streets can be hectic and there are so many things to do that it can be hard to keep up.
The Food:
It wouldn't be a Pumpkin Show without pumpkin favored everything! Doughnuts, sloppy joes, pizza, ice cream, burgers, and of course pies. Almost any food you can think of can be found with a pumpkin flavored spin. If pumpkin isn't your thing, there's also all of your standard fair food staples (the bourbon chicken is especially delicious). There are also plenty of restaurants to explore in town: you can catch Woody & the Wake Up Call from 92.3 in their yearly broadcast from the Pumpkin Show at Gibby's or get a great pizza from Gant's and if you're looking for a delicious fresh baked pumpkin doughnut and a glimpse at the giant pumpkin pie at Lindsey's. The options are nearly limitless.
The Festivities:
The kick-off to the Pumpkin Show is none other than the pumpkin weigh-in where farmers and gardeners clamor in to enter their potentially prize-winning pumpkins, whether it's the prettiest pumpkin or the largest, it's truly a spectacle to behold. Every year they crown a Miss Pumpkin Show contest where young ladies from surrounding schools are chosen as representatives to compete for the crown and court, There are parades daily, with some highlights being the pet parade and the Queen's parade. The streets are littered with amusement rides and games for the whole family. You can also hit different stages throughout the town to see some musical performances and other interesting acts. You can walk the streets and visit tents for your favorite interest groups and collect information on local happenings. And the only thing better than the food is the wide array of merchants selling almost everything under the sun: pumpkin show souvenirs, beautiful hand-blown glass pumpkins from Jack Pine, various home decorations, and delicious baked goods.
We take our pumpkins pretty seriously here in central Ohio, and one look at the Pumpkin Show proves it. It's a wonderful experience for people of all ages and walks of life. It's a beautiful time of year for a city to come together and celebrate.
And all of this is why the Pumpkin Show is considered "The Greatest Free Show on Earth".
Here's to 110 more years!