Pumpkins Galore!

By Brianne Harrison Moore

Fall is here! Why not celebrate the new season at the South Jersey Pumpkin Show, which will be held October 8-9 at the Atlantic County 4-H Fairground in Egg Harbor City?

This year’s festival will feature live music, over 100 artists and craftsmen, a dog parade, a farm market, scarecrow exhibit, and, of course, pumpkins galore! Growers from any state are invited to enter their biggest pumpkin in the Big Pumpkin Weigh Off (pumpkins must be at least 100 pounds to participate), which will be held at noon on Saturday. First place takes home a $600 prize.

Pet owners can enter their pooches in the All Breed Fun Dog Parade and Contest, which will hand out prizes for biggest dog, smallest dog, best breed, longest and shortest tail and legs, owner lookalike, best costume, best fall costume, and most spots. Winners receive free gifts and a trophy, and all entrants get a bag of treats and a ribbon. Entry fee is a donation of one pet product, which will be given to local animal shelters. The pet parade will be held on Sunday at noon.

Gather family and friends to create a scarecrow for the Scarecrows Galore Contest, which will award a $100 first prize to the best family-friendly scarecrow. Families can also join in the Decorated Baby Stroller, Wagon, or Float contest, which will award first through third place with a gift bag. First place winner gets a $100 gift card.

If you’re more in the mood to shop, there are plenty of options to choose from. Craftsmen specializing in pottery, ceramics, primitives, candles, handmade soaps and lotions, glass art, blacksmithing, floral wreaths, furniture, quilts, paintings, and photography will be on hand selling their wares, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Atlantic County 4-H Fair Association and ScottBaileyTrust.

Admission is $2, children 4 and under are free. For more information, visit sjpumpkinshow.com.