WOODSTOWN — The 13th annual South Jersey Pumpkin Show fall festivals of pumpkins is gearing up for its biggest celebration this Oct. 7,8-9. This three-day event will be held at the Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway, Pilesgrove/Woodstown.
The fairgrounds will be transformed by hundreds of pumpkins, scarecrows, gourds, cornstalks and colorful mums.
Pumpkin growers and backyard gardeners from any state, are being invited to bring their heaviest pumpkin out to the Pumpkin Show Big Pumpkin Weigh Off on Friday, Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Over $4,200 in prizes and cash will be awarded to the top heaviest pumpkins entered.
If you’re a pumpkin grower this is a great late season opportunity to show off your prize pumpkin. Giant pumpkins will be on display until 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9.
Festival goers visiting can purchase tickets to take a ride on a helicopter. Tours will be over Salem County by East Coast Helicopter Tours.
Come out and enjoy pumpkin desserts, rows and rows of craftsmen, Fall Home & Garden Expo, fun contests, scarecrows, give-a-ways, our festival food court, NJ Largest Baked Pumpkin Pie, pony rides and haunted hayrides around the fairgrounds.
New Jersey vineyards Dimatteo and Salem Oak are the perfect paring for festival. Come sample some of New Jersey’s best wines and pick a bottle or two to take home.
The tale of Sleepy Hollow and the arrival of the Headless Horsemen returns with two performances on Friday and Saturday. The giant pumpkin pyramid that holds over 500 pumpkins and mums will be showcased as the center piece of the festival.
Kids under 10 will enjoy a friendly boo barn, amusement rides, free pumpkins, craft making, trick or treating on Friday night, kids straw garden and Halloween treat bags.
The All Breed Fun Dog Parade, Decorated Fall Baby Strollers and Halloween Costume Contests are free to enter and everyone receives a ribbon and goody bag for participating. The best pumpkin desserts, casseroles, soup and appetizers are being sought for the Fun Pumpkin Food contest and free sampling held on Saturday.
The Little Miss and Mister Pumpkin Pageant for girls and boys will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. for kids ages 4-9 years old from Salem, Camden, Gloucester and Cumberland Counties. New for 2016 is the Decorated Pumpkin Contest
Live entertainment will be presented by The Jersey Corn Pickers, Diablo Sandwich Band, Acoustic Acrobat Band, The Stampede Band and others to be announced. Save the dates and come out to a festival that celebrates the fall harvest of pumpkins.
Admissions is free, parking $5 a carload and good all three days of the festival. Free shopping bags, free trick or treat bags, free pumpkins/gourds first 200 kids daily. Visitors that donate a can of pet food at the main entrance will receive a $1 off parking.
Home and garden vendors, sponsors, craftsmen, artists and farm markets are being sought for 2016. Visit www.sjpumpkinshow.com for details or call 856-765-0118.
The South Jersey Pumpkin Show is a completely self-supporting festival made possible by the sponsors, exhibitors and parking fee. The event organizers have pledged to keep the festival family friendly, affordable and packed full of harvest fun.
The Salem County Fairgrounds is located in the rich farm lands Salem County and located just a few miles from Delaware Memorial Bridge. Portion of proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations and the ScottRWBaileyScholarship Fund. Details on our website at www.sjpumpkinshow.com
