Spalding’s popular Pumpkin Festival is back for its 17th year tomorrow (Friday, October 12).
Crafts, carving, fireworks, fancy dress, a parade and plenty of pumpkins will take centre-stage as the horticulture and harvest in South Holland is celebrated.
The festival will run from 11am to 8pm in Spalding town centre and has an array of thing to see and do for families and people of all ages.
Throughout the day there will be a market with a mix of stalls from local charities and local producers, and various entertainment and activities including street entertainment, face painting, arts and crafts activities and pumpkin carving.
In the evening activities will include a harvest fancy dress competition, live entertainment from bands and theatre groups, the Pumpkin Parade, which starts at 6.30pm and a spectacular grand finale firework display in the town centre at 7.30pm.
The fancy dress competition will have categories for children aged 0-4 years, 5-7 years and 8-12 years, and the outfits should reflect the themes of pumpkins, harvest or orange and green.
Local businesses will also have the chance to take part, with an award for the best themed window display to be judged on the day.
The event, sponsored by David Bowman Pumpkins Ltd, is run by South Holland District Council’s Community Development Team with support from the Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland, Rotary Club of South Holland and Spalding Lions.
Coun Gary Taylor, the district council’s portfolio holder for communities and facilities said: “The Pumpkin Festival is always an unmissable event and is received brilliantly by the people of Spalding and South Holland by people of all ages.
“There’s something for everyone to take part in and have fun with, and the festival really puts the district on the map, celebrating our proud association with horticulture and harvest.
“It’s a unique community event, bringing together people from across the community.
“I’m really looking forward to the day and can’t wait to see some fantastic fancy dress, great live acts, some brilliantly carved pumpkins and of course the unforgettable parade and firework display in the evening.”
Several roads and car parks around the town centre, such as the Sheep Market, Market Place and The Crescent will be closed during the day for the event to take place.
Rolling road closures will be in place in the town between 6pm to 8pm on the Pumpkin Parade route, including Station Street, Spring Gardens, London Road, Haverfield Road, Priory Road and High Bridge.
For more details on these closures visit the website: www.sholland.gov.uk/pumpkinfestival
