CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – An annual event dubbed as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth” returns to central Ohio, celebrating all things pumpkin.
The 117th Circleville Pumpkin Show kicks off Wednesday and runs through Saturday, promising a selection of baked goods, live entertainment, parades, amusement rides and much more. The event is held at 159 E. Franklin St., 25 miles south of Columbus. Each year, the pumpkin show attracts more than 400,000 visitors while displaying over 100,000 pounds of pumpkins, gourds and squash.
The show also offers several contests including the Miss and Little Miss Pumpkin Show and Pumpkin Pie Eating Contests for kids and adults. Rides and concessions open to the public Tuesday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Giant Pumpkin Weigh In
On Wednesday morning, the opening ceremony starts at 9 a.m. with the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In scheduled for 9:15 a.m. at Court and Main streets. Local growers will go head to head to compete for the largest pumpkin and the Nancy Martin Prettiest Pumpkin Award. In 2023, the winning pumpkin weighed in at 2,388.5 pounds, a state record.
Food and treats
Several pumpkin-flavored food items will be at the Circleville Pumpkin Show for all to enjoy, with most of them being pumpkin related. The list includes pumpkin pie, donuts, cookies and even pumpkin burgers, soups, ice cream and more. There are 23,000 pumpkin pies and more than 100,000 pumpkin donuts sold during the four-day show.
Lindsey’s Bakery will also prepare one of the world’s largest pumpkin pies during the show, which is a more than 60-year tradition for the bakery. The pie will be on display at the bakery at 127 W. Main St.
Parking
Free parking is available on the city streets surrounding the limits of The Pumpkin Show. Spaces are first come, first serve. Handicapped parking is available on North Western Avenue.
Shuttle services
Shuttles will park and leave from Amvets at 818 Tarlton Rd. Drop off and pick up will be available at the corner of Pickaway and Mound streets. The shuttles will operate Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Ohio Christian University Baseball Team will also have services to leave from 1476 Lancaster Pike and drop off and pick up at 235 E. Main St. It operates Tuesday from 5 to 10 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For additional details and the full schedule, follow this link.
