Waterford is preparing for a weekend of family activities, live entertainment, festive traditions and community fundraising as the Waterford Lions Pumpkin Fest returns for its 44th year.
The annual event brings the community together for a town-wide celebration, with much of the programming offered free of charge.
From the parade and car show to children’s activities, live music, fireworks and the popular pumpkin pyramids, organizers say there is something for people of all ages to enjoy.
We spoke with committee chair Jim McEachran, a Waterford Lions Club member and chair of the Pumpkin Fest committee, along with Lara Rockefeller, a fellow Lion and Pumpkin Fest committee member who manages the event’s social media.
One of the festival’s most recognizable traditions is the pumpkin pyramid display, which gives local students an opportunity to see their artwork become part of the celebration.
Five feeder schools, Boston, Bloomsburg, Teeterville, St. Bernard’s and Waterford Public School, receive pumpkins from the Lions Club for students to carve.
The pumpkins are then brought to the festival and placed on the pyramids, where families can search for their creations throughout the weekend.
The event is also the Lions Club’s largest fundraiser, with volunteers and local organizations playing a major role in making it happen.
The festival is entirely volunteer-run, with no paid staff, and organizers say support from the community and local sponsors is essential to its success.
That community support helps fill the festival grounds each year for the fireworks display, while the festival’s parade remains another major draw, bringing crowds into Waterford to watch the procession.
Another popular attraction is the car show.
The family-friendly programming includes a dedicated Kids Zone featuring games, pumpkin carving, face painting, bouncy castles and performances on a separate stage.
Learning with Lexi will be among the attractions, while Foodland will provide prizes for children taking part in games.
An exotic animal show is also planned for the dog park.
Children can also enjoy free performances by illusionist Lucas Wilson at Waterford Public School.
For those looking for entertainment beyond the Kids Zone, the main stage will feature live music throughout the day.
A new addition this year is a Thriller dance activity, where participants will have the opportunity to learn and perform the famous dance on the tennis courts.
Saturday will also feature a football game scheduled for 2 p.m., adding another community tradition to the busy day.
Organizers caution that roads will close at 11:30 a.m. for the parade, so anyone planning to attend the game should arrive early and account for the closures.
Food will be available throughout the festival, with local groups and organizations taking the opportunity to raise money for their own causes. Waterford United Church plans to serve a chili meal, the school will sell pumpkin pie, and local firefighters will once again hold their sausage-on-a-bun fundraiser.
Organizers say working alongside other service clubs and community organizations is an important part of the event.
The Waterford Agriculture and Heritage Museum will also host a new pop-up display featuring Pumpkin Fest memorabilia on loan from the festival committee, with pumpkin pie being served as part of the experience.
The museum provides another stop for visitors interested in the event’s history and the traditions that have helped it grow over more than four decades.
Those looking for a scare can visit the haunted house inside the arena, operated by Derek King of House of the Haunted Souls.
The attraction has been part of Pumpkin Fest for several years and is expected to operate Friday through Sunday.
Organizers say it has become a popular feature, drawing long lineups of visitors eager to experience the spooky displays.
Organizers encourage visitors to explore the many activities taking place throughout the weekend, enjoy the community traditions and remember that their participation helps support the Lions Club’s work throughout the year.
For more information about Waterford Lions Pumpkin Fest, including a full schedule of events, visit the festival’s official website and social media pages.
