Barnesville Pumpkin Festival

Name: Barnesville Pumpkin Festival
Location: Barnesville

A Celebration of Autumn’s Bounty and Small-Town Pride

2018/09/26 - 2018/09/29

Every September, the rolling hills of Barnesville, Ohio turn a vibrant shade of orange for the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival. For four days, Main Street transforms into a lively carnival filled with laughter, the earthy scent of pumpkins, and the excitement of more than 100,000 visitors drawn by giant pumpkins and pumpkin treats. Whether you’re a passionate grower, a family making autumn memories, or a traveler eager to experience small-town America in the fall, this heartwarming festival is a true highlight of the season.

The festival is held every year on the last full weekend of September in downtown Barnesville. With contests, parades, and pumpkin-inspired foods, it’s a celebration packed with “town pride” that delights all five senses[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Main Attractions

Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off

The festival’s biggest draw is the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Growers from Barnesville and neighboring states bring their enormous pumpkins—some weighing close to a ton—to compete for the title. Each time an orange behemoth over 2,000 pounds (about 900 kg) is hoisted by crane, the crowd buzzes with excitement and the earthy scent of pumpkin fills the air[1][2][5][6].

Key Events

The parade features floats, marching bands, and costumed children tossing candy to the crowd. There’s a pumpkin pie eating contest, the “Pumpkin Roll” where kids race pumpkins down a hill, a classic car show, outdoor concerts, a midway with rides, a craft fair, and a quilt show. The Little Miss & Mister Pumpkin pageant lets the town’s youngest stars shine[2][4][5][7][9].

Costumes and Decorations

The town is awash in pumpkin orange. Banners, scarecrows, festival T-shirts, pumpkin hats, and autumn-themed costumes fill the streets, with hay bales, corn stalks, and hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns everywhere. Parade floats are decked out with mums, leaves, and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, creating a perfect autumn scene[3][4][5].

Traditional Food and Drink

Follow your nose to pumpkin bread, pies, donuts, and pumpkin ice cream. Local specialties like pumpkin chili and pumpkin burgers join fair classics like funnel cakes, corn dogs, and lemonade. The scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and spice fill the air, making every bite a taste of fall[1][5][6].

Cultural and Historical Background

The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival began in 1964 to celebrate local agriculture, the harvest, and especially the growing of giant pumpkins. What started as a small community event has grown into one of Ohio’s largest fall festivals, attracting visitors from across the Midwest. For locals, it’s a source of pride, a reunion, and a living tradition honoring the hard work and creativity of area farmers and artisans[3][5][6].

The festival showcases the town’s charm, the passion for pumpkin growing, and the bounty of autumn, strengthening community bonds and sharing the joy of the season with all who visit.

Participant Voices

“We came from Pittsburgh just to see the giant pumpkins, and the warm, friendly atmosphere made it so much fun. I talked to a grower who told me all about the challenges of raising a one-ton pumpkin. We left with lots of pumpkin bread as souvenirs!”