Every October the small town of Circleville in Ohio transforms into a massive sea of orange. The Circleville Pumpkin Show has been bringing people together since 1903 to celebrate the local harvest in a really big way. It is often called the Greatest Free Show on Earth and draws over 400,000 visitors every year. From giant pumpkins that weigh as much as a small car to streets filled with pumpkin pies this festival has it all. Here is what makes this event a must visit for travelers everywhere.
The origins of the festival
The very first Circleville Pumpkin Show kicked off in October 1903 when Mayor George Haswell put pumpkins and corn outside his store. He just wanted to celebrate the local harvest and people loved it so much it became a yearly tradition. Today this street display has grown into the sixth largest festival in the United States.
A massive tourist attraction
More than 400,000 fun loving people travel to this town located 30 miles south of Columbus every year. According to Ohio.org the four day event takes over more than 12 blocks of downtown Circleville with big detours. It brings an insane amount of energy and the coolest part is that admission is free for everyone.
The giant pumpkin weigh in
The biggest draw of the entire festival happens on the very first day with the giant pumpkin weigh in. These pumpkins are so huge they have to be trucked in one at a time with heavy equipment. In 2023 local growers Bob and Jo Liggett set a record with a pumpkin weighing an unbelievable 2388 pounds according to 10TV news.
The world’s largest pumpkin pie
You can not visit a pumpkin festival without trying some pie and this event takes it to a new level. Every year Lindsey’s Bakery bakes the world’s largest pumpkin pie using 96 pounds of cooked pumpkin. People will gladly wait over an hour in line just to see this giant dessert and grab a slice.
Endless pumpkin flavored treats
If you are an adventurous eater you will absolutely love the huge variety of crazy pumpkin foods here. You can literally feast on things like pumpkin sloppy joes and pumpkin pizza or grab some deep fried pumpkin pie. Wash those sweet treats down with a pumpkin soda because life is too short to skip weird festival food.
The seven parades tradition
One amazing part of the show is that they host seven different parades over the course of four days. You will see events like the Pet Parade and the Baby Parade along with performances by local marching bands. The energy is high and it gives families a perfect chance to make memories watching the colorful floats.
Crowning the festival queens
Another old tradition dating back to 1933 is crowning the Miss and Little Miss Pumpkin Show Queens. Local high school juniors and seniors compete for the main crown while first graders run for the Little Miss title. Once crowned these lucky queens get to lead all the parades for the rest of the event.
Fun activities and contests
There is way more to do than just stare at giant vegetables all weekend. You can check out quirky contests like hog calling and egg tosses or bring your running shoes for a five mile run. The festival also features carnival rides and tons of shops full of souvenirs to take home.
A community driven atmosphere
The entire town gets into the spirit and residents go all out decorating their homes and businesses. It feels like stepping into a movie scene because the locals are so proud of their town and welcoming to visitors. According to the 10TV news network around 100,000 people pack into East Main Street alone just for this party.
Planning your visit
The festival always kicks off on the third Wednesday of October and runs right through to Saturday. It is super easy to get there off Route 23 and you will know you are close when you spot the famous pumpkin water tower. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes because finding a parking spot in local yards can be an adventure.
