The first Barnesville Pumpkin Festival was held in1964 as the Ohio Fall Festival. It was a small-scale event that took place in the basement of the Church of the Assumption. It became an outdoor event held in downtown Barnesville in the 1970s and was renamed the Ohio Pumpkin Festival and then the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival.
Over the years, the festival has grown into a major event that draws about 100,000 people over 4 days. Although the festival officially starts on Thursday, many local citizens attend the festival preview on Wednesday that includes the annual weigh-in.
The King Pumpkin Weigh-In, also known as the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, takes place in downtown Barnesville. The contenders may weigh over 1400 lbs! They are so heavy that they have to be weighed on a local funeral home scale. The King Pumpkin winner receives a cash prize, $2 per pound.
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival offers a rich and diverse program that includes agricultural and horticultural displays, a car show, a farm machinery display, amusement rides, a book sale, children’s crafts, a tractor cruise, a parade, a 5k run/walk, and various contests and competitions. Contests held at the festival include pie baking, pie eating, talent show, pumpkin baby, Little Miss & Mister, fudge contest, pumpkin mascot, pet show, pumpkin roll, and more.
One of the festival’s main highlights is the Giant Pumpkin Parade that takes place on Saturday. Anyone can participate in this extremely popular annual event. The festival features colourful floats, bands, church groups, clubs, businesses, organizations, horses, vehicles, and more. After the parade, pumpkin trophies are awarded to the best participants in several categories.
Other signature events at the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival include the Antique and Classic Car Show and the 5k Run & Walk. One of the largest events of its kind in the area, the car show features hundreds of vehicles from Ohio and neighboring states.
Photo: Joanne C Sullivan
