Growth Of Allardt Pumpkin Festival Causes Change In Scheduled Events

Some changes made to the Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival schedule due to anticipated crowd sizes this weekend.

Chairman Cathy Jeffers said the big weigh-off of the largest pumpkins and the auto show will now be on two separate days.

“Some people like to do it all in one day, but our crowd size has actually got so large that there is some concerns with safety officials statewide and local,” Jeffers said. “So, we are trying to downsize the crowd just a little bit for October 1st.”

Jeffers said the auto show will happen the following Saturday on the 8th. Jeffers said both events will also move to the Allardt Elementary School due to the anticipated crowd.

Jeffers said while it is bitter sweet to move the classic pumpkin weigh-off from Sandy’s Dinner, the new location will give more space for spectators, competitors and of course, the pumpkins. Last year, two pumpkins weighed over 2,000, Jeffers said.