Pumpkintown 2013
Tuesday, October 1st, 2013 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Did you know the largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,131 pounds? Were you aware of the fact that pumpkins were once used to treat snakebites and remove freckles? Had you any idea that McMinn County once had a town that shared a name with the key ingredient in a pumpkin pie?
Save the date to celebrate a decade of commemorating decades of history, heritage, and harvest during the 10th Annual Pumpkintown Festival in downtown Athens on Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A day-long celebration ensured to bring to life the rich cultural history and heritage of McMinn County and East Tennessee, the community-wide event is named for a former McMinn County village, Pumpkintown.
Pumpkintown planners expect the event to continue to grow and provide great entertainment for local families and those visiting from other areas.
“Pumpkintown has enjoyed great success for the past decade, with thousands of visitors attending each year,” said Meredith Willson, chairwoman of the Pumpkintown steering committee. “We look forward to another exciting year for this event.”
Those who attend will be taken back in time to many different bygone eras in East Tennessee’s past.
“We’ve got several events, demonstrations, and booths confirmed, and there are many more things in the works,” said Amy Blackburn, who is coordinating Pumpkintown’s historic events and heritage crafts demonstrations. “I think we’re going to have more great events to offer this year.”
Blacksmiths, woodturners, basketmakers, potters, bonnet-makers, old-fashioned jewelry-makers, and other craftspeople will demonstrate crafts from days of old. Old favorites will also be returning, including the 5th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, 3rd Annual Pumpkin Pie Contest, and the “Mutt Strut” and “Doggie Costume Contest” at Happy Hounds on Washington Avenue. Live music and entertainment will be held on multiple stages throughout the day during Pumpkintown.
Quilt enthusiasts will also enjoy the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum’s Quilt Show, which will be held in conjunction with Pumpkintown at the museum on Madison Avenue in downtown Athens now through October 19. The annual African American Quilt Show will also be held at the museum during Pumpkintown.
Sponsors are needed to ensure this year’s festival is another fun-filled success for the whole community. Anyone wishing to be a Pumpkintown sponsor can contact Meredith Willson at 1-888-785-5855, ext. 2348.
Vendors are being sought for the event, and anyone interested can contact Lizz Harris at 506-4467 or Willson. If you would like to be involved as a heritage crafter/demonstrator, contact Amy Blackburn at 745-0329.
To learn more about Pumpkintown, visit www.pumpkintownfestival.com.