5 Top Reasons Why Franklin’s PumpkinFest is a Must-do this Fall!
For 20 years the streets of Franklin, North Carolina have been transformed into a premier fall festival every October. This year’s event is kicking off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 22. Franklin’s PumpkinFest has grown each year with fun for the entire family and for its 20th year celebration, the day-long event will surely be the best one yet. With hours of activities planned throughout the day, to make your decision to attend this year’s 20th annual PumpkinFest a little easier, here are the top 5 reasons why Franklin’s PumpkinFest is a must-do this Fall.
5) Win prizes or cold hard cash in any of the contests scheduled throughout the day!
PumpkinFest has become known for its annual Pumpkin Pie eating contest that pairs eager contestants against each other as they race against the clock to devour the deliciousness of a Pumpkin Pie. Whoever gets through more whip cream and Pumpkin spice will walk away with a cash prize.
The best dressed of the day won’t go unnoticed either with the annual costume contest. Separated by ages, judges will take notes as both kids and adults parade on stage with their best Halloween costumes. A winner for each age category will be crowned.
New to this year’s Pumpkinfest, a Lip Sync Battle will be taking place on the town square stage. Contestants are encouraged to come prepared with their best Halloween hit ready to lip sing right into the judges’ hearts.
4) Fire breathers, jugglers, dragons and more!
PumpkinFest is is jam packed full of entertainment throughout the day and this year there will be more street performers than ever. Last year’s’ hit fire breathing dragon will be stomping up and down the street again this year. Additional street performers will also be on main street this year, with jugglers and fire breathers that will be performing all day beginning at 9 am.
3) Bounce houses, pony rides, and kids activities on every end of the street
On both end of main street, Franklin’s PumpkinFest will have dozens of activities specifically for kids to celebrate Fall. From bounce houses to carnival games, to pony rides, to a costume parade up Main Street, PumpkinFest is all about the kids. All of the activities are free for families and will be going all day long.
2) Shop Main street merchants, eat local treats, and visit any of the 90 vendors scheduled to set up.
One of the best traits of Franklin is its diverse shopping opportunities. Main Street has everything from an Outdoor outfitter, to speciality boutiques, to a home goods store and jewelry. The shops that line both sides of the streets are the backbone of Franklin and make events like PumpkinFest possible. Main street restaurants or either of the town’s two breweries have the perfect treats and drinks to make the day a little sweeter. And speaking of sweet, from 3-4 p.m. during PumpkinFest, main street merchants will be giving out candy to all the trick or treaters that stop by the stores. In addition to the main street merchants who are opened everyday in Franklin, PumpkinFest maxed out the vendor list this year and will feature 90 vendors offering everything from handmade crafts to fall decor, to local jewelry and just about everything in between.
1) The World Famous Pumpkin Roll.
It wouldn’t be PumpkinFest without the World Famous Pumpkin Roll. From the top of Frogtown just off of main street, try your hand at rolling your pumpkin the furthers to be named the 2016 Pumpkin roll winner. Pumpkin rollers travel from surrounding states to try to conquer Frogtown and with last year’s event surpassing 700 pumpkins being rolled, this year the town will have even more pumpkins on hand for the contest.
- Published in About Franklin
Pumpkinfest
24th Annual PumpkinFest!
The Town of Franklin presents the 24th Annual PumpkinFest
featuring the World Famous Pumpkin Roll • Saturday, October 17, 2020
Vendor Applications are now available for the 24th Annual PumpkinFest to be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Applications maybe be downloaded below and are in PDF format.
– Arts & Crafts Application Download (PDF)
– Food Vendor Application Download (PDF)
– Non-Profit Application Download (PDF)
Get ready to let the good times roll during Franklin, North Carolina’s 24th Annual PumpkinFest! This street festival and celebration of Autumn is pure familiy fun! Children and adults alike will have a blast taking part in traditional and some very non-traditional fall festivities during Western North Carolina’s premier autumn festival.
PumpkinFest rolls into action on Saturday, October 17th and Historic Downtown Franklin, North Carolina is full tilt with everything pumpkin. Bring your pumpkin (or purchase one downtown) and sign up early for the World Famous Pumpkin Roll. The Costume Parade and Contest is another highlight of the day as well as the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest. And don’t miss out on more than 80 vendors including mountain arts & crafts along with great food! Don’t miss our annual special attractions and more!. PumpkinFest runs from 9am to 4pm and is held rain or shine in Franklin, NC.
More information can be obtained by calling 828-524-2516 or drop us an email at [email protected]. You can also follow PumpkinFest on Facebook to keep posted on the latest information!
- Published in Festivals
19th Annual Pumpkinfest, Franklin, North Carolina
The world famous pumpkin role, a Halloween parade down main street and a nine foot tall dragon are just a few of the things coming to Franklin for the 19th annual PumpkinFest. Right when the leaves are at their peak and the mountains of western North Carolina are set on fire with rich reds, golden yellows, and lushes oranges, the town of Franklin hosts the biggest annual fall festival in the south!
19 years ago the leaders of Franklin set out to host a family-friendly celebration of the Autumn season along a bustling main street, and nearly two decades later PumpkinFest continues to grow with this year’s event planning to be bigger than ever!
“We have expanded the Pumpkin Roll this year so more pumpkins will be able to roll at a time,” said Franklin Town Manager Summer Woodard. “This will allow more “rollers” to participate and cut down on wait times. One of the best balloon artist’s in the southeast will be thrilling the kids as well as street performers including a roving magician. The magician will also perform a stage show. Be on the lookout too for a knight riding a dragon. There will also be live music from guitarist Ronnie Evans and the classic rock of Tea 4 Three plus a record 90 vendors in attendance featuring everything from arts & crafts to great food.”
For the first time in the festival’s history, there is a waiting list of vendors to set up at PumpkinFest, promising that those in attendance have the best arts, crafts, and fall specials available. From kid friendly games and hand carved wooden toys to locally crafted pottery and deliciously served up food, vendors play a huge part in ensuring PumpkinFest is the perfect kick off to the holiday season.
PumpkinFest is Franklin’s biggest festival and the world famous pumpkin roll down Frogtown, paired with the always entertaining pumpkin pie eating contest on the square, the festival has a little something for everyone. The festival keeps growing each year and to help with some of those growth pains, the town of Franklin is bringing a shuttle option to the table that will expand parking. Macon County Transit will be shuttling people to and from PumpkinFest free of charge this year from Franklin High School.
“We work hard each year to keep the festival fresh,” said Woodard. “Yes we have standard events, but we bring new elements to the festival each year. It also goes back to family. There are activities for all age groups to enjoy in a family-friendly atmosphere.”
Grab your family or grab a friend, throw on your best costume and join Franklin in welcoming Fall as you march down main street in your Halloween best for the 19th annual PumpkinFest. PumpkinFest kicks off downtown Franklin at 9 a.m. and the fun doesn’t stop until 4 p.m.
- Published in Special Events
