NORWICH – With autumn at its peak, thousands are expected to make their way to East and West parks in downtown Norwich this weekend for one last community-based event of the season as the 15th Annual Pumpkin Festival gets underway.
For over a decade, the Pumpkin Festival has been a great opportunity for local residents to enjoy a variety of family-friendly games, contests, activities and entertainment. Despite its new time - earlier this year than ever before - event organizers promise the same old Pumpkin Fest traditions with the all the sights, sounds, and smells of fall in the heart of Norwich.
The two-day celebration kicks off Friday evening and events will continue throughout the day on Saturday.
“We are hoping that by having the Pumpkin Festival earlier, we will see some better weather,” said Julie Wallen, vice president for the Norwich Pumpkin Festival Committee. In its 15-year history, Pumpkin Fest has been plagued by rain, snow and cold, she added. “But it doesn’t matter what the weather holds. This is something that will go on, rain or shine.”
The festivities begin Friday night with Fritz’s Polka Band, set to take the spotlight on the East Park stage from 4:30 until 7 p.m.
“That’s a great way to start the festival,” said Wallen. “They always bring a big crowd in.”
The evening continues with the giant pumpkin contest weigh-in from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and the karaoke contest – a crowd favorite, Wallen noted – starting at 6:30.
A special free-will offering harvest dinner is also planned from 4:30 until 7 p.m. at the St. Bartholomew Parish Center, located at 73 East Main Street. And, as always, scaffolding will line the downtown sidewalks for anyone to show off their pumpkin carving skills.
The event picks up again Saturday at 9 a.m. when music starts playing throughout East and West parks, courtesy of DJ Rhett Genung. Also, local crafters and bakers will be given the chance to show off their autumn work Saturday morning by entering in the scarecrow and pumpkin bake off contests from 9 a.m. until noon.
There are, of course, other fun activities that will take place throughout the day, said Wallen, including games, face painting, horse and wagon rides, caricature artists, balloon twister and the “All Things Pumpkin” bake sale.
“We are also going to have the children’s tractor pull, which is new this year,” Wallen pointed out. Participants must register for the children’s tractor pull between 12:45 and 1:15 prior to the competition at 1:30 p.m.
What’s more, some of the area’s best talent will take the stage in East Park throughout the day. This year’s headliners include the Claddaugh Ring Irish Dancers at 11 a.m., the Slap Stick Comedy Show at 12:30 p.m., the Pet Street animal costume contest at 1:15, country music vocalist Kaitlyn Jackson at 3 p.m., local music group Woodshed Prophets at 4 p.m., the Kolby Oakley Band at 6 p.m., and Rooster and the Road House Horns at 7:30.
This year’s Pumpkin Festival also coincides with the Norwich Merchants Association second annual Fall Crafts Festival, to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Fall Crafts Festival features more than a dozen artist and vendors from all over the region. According to event organizer Linda McNeil, it’s the perfect time for someone to purchase a one-of-a-kind gift for the holiday season that’s right around the corner, and visit a downtown retailer while they’re at it.
“We want people to join the festivities at the Norwich Crafts Festival,” she said. “We will have everything including jewelry, quilts, Native American crafts and much more.”
Pumpkin Festival events and performances lead up to the grand fireworks display set to light up the sky at 9 p.m.
“We would like to thank all of our sponsors this year that helped the festival come about once again,” Wallen said. “It wouldn’t have gone on without them or without our volunteers who have worked hard throughout the year to put this on. We would love to see everyone come down and just have a great time.”