Pumpkin Festival slated for Oct. 18

Grab your giant pumpkins — it’s almost time for judging.

Pennville Pumpkin Festival kicks off Saturday, Oct. 18, at Pennville Community Park. The annual event features a giant pumpkin contest affiliated with Indiana Pumpkin Growers Association, along with various other fall-themed activities. This year’s festival includes a couple new attractions — a scarecrow contest at noon and a skillet-throwing contest at 2 p.m. Activities kick off Oct. 18 with a 5K race. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the race to start at 8:30 a.m. The annual pumpkin festival parade lineup on Lagro Street starts at 10 a.m. with the parade to follow at 10:30 a.m. A costume contest is slated for 11:30 a.m. Games and vendors will be set up at the festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be a car show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pumpkin registration begins at 9 a.m., with weigh-in to follow at 11 a.m. and awards at 1 p.m. Oct. 18. 

An additional legacy prize will be awarded if a participant earns first place and breaks the festival’s past record-holding pumpkin at 1,750 pounds.

Pennville Volunteer Fire Department’s annual hog roast is slated from 4 to 7 p.m.

The meal, offered from the station at 105 N. Washington St., offers pork with barbecue sauce, baked beans, apple sauce, bread and butter, desserts and drinks. The cost is $8 per person or $20 for a bag of pork.

Town-wide garage sales are also slated for Oct. 18.