Giant Pumpkins & Tons of Fun

Bucks County’s Pumpkinfest rolls into town again.
By Alina Makhnovetsky

To officially mark the commencement of fall upon us, Bucks County is once again gearing up for Pumpkinfest. The event is the largest of its kind in Pennsylvania and has been held since 1991. And, with as many as 25,000 people coming through last season, this year, Pumpkinfest promises to tip over the scales with its giant squash competition, live music, crafts, prizes and continuous fun for the whole family.

Originally, the fest was created in recognition of Red Ribbon Week, the largest drug prevention campaign in the country. “It was initiated to provide a healthy, wholesome family outing. There were very few fun activities that did not involve drinking. We sort of piggy backed on the existing campaign and combined with Red Ribbon Week and created Pumpkinfest,” recalls Beverly Haberle, Executive Director of Bucks County Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. “It was important to bring awareness and acknowledge how a community can be affected by drugs,” says Haberle. Currently, Pumpkinfest is the largest two-day drug and alcohol-free event sponsored by The Council, as well as, the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Pumpkinfest will feature a live pumpkin carving competition followed by a lighting ceremony in the evening. A panel of judges will award the top craftsmen, while attendees may vote for the People’s Choice Award of Best in Show. Two stages, one devoted to children, will showcase live music and other productions, while the fest will also include crafts, games and various exhibits and a number of vendors. Clowns, magicians, square dancers, as well as, a petting zoo, hayrides, funnel cake, hot sandwiches, corn and of course pumpkin pie are all staples of the event. An assortment of inflated rides will also be available for children. Above all, the Council has managed to keep the event at a reasonable cost, recognizing the economically frustrating times.

Besides the obvious enjoyment, The Council is devoted to conveying important messages about the prevention of underage drinking through a slew of Pumpkinfest activities.  Haberle and her team, including the Central Bucks Drug Free Project, hope to spark conversations within families about avoiding underage drinking and drug use. “There will be 45 participating community groups coming to Pumpkinfest to help educate, empower, and collaborate with families,” says Tim Philpot, Associate Director of the Council. A mural painted by local youth artists with an anti-underage drinking theme will be on display, as well as many games and activities to educate the public about prevention in a fun way. Here the message is that underage drinking and drug use is truly preventable and The Council, along with the coalition of community members, will be on hand to provide solid prevention information to families.

The Bucks County Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc., is an independent, non-profit organization and its mission is to make available resources and opportunities to those who need it in the community, by providing prevention seminars, consultation, education, advocacy, assessment, recovery support services, intervention and other necessary steps. Most importantly, The Council’s chief focus is on its community. By inviting their neighbors, friends and all of Bucks County to its annual Pumpkinfest each year, the program is able to educate and expose and help countless of people.

The Council spends countless time in preparation for the fall event, and virtually everyone in the community thinks of Pumpkinfest as the mark of the season. Gates open on October 17th & 18th at noon and the festivities will end at 9pm. Admission for adults and teens is $5, admission for children is $3 and younger children are admitted for free. The grounds of Moravian Pottery & Tile Works will serve as the activity site at 130 Swamp Road in Doylestown.

For more information on the Bucks County Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence or on Pumpkinfest, visit www.bccadd.org/pumpkinfest or call 1 (800) 221-6333.

Alina Makhnovetsky is a freelance writer who lives in Philadelphia, PA.