Houston Pumpkin Festival kicks off 32nd year
The three-day Houston Pumpkin Festival kicks off today as thousands of visitors are expected to go out of their gourds over pie-eating and seed-spitting contests. Hungry competitors should prepare their bellies as four-time champion Brent Johnson has held onto the record of downing an 8-inch pumpkin pie in 2:31 since 2013.
“He’s been the winner four times. Just an average guy, taller. But he puts down the pie,” said committee organizer Darlene Taylor.
“He’ll start taunting others and showboating if he knows he’s really ahead – dangling the pie way up high. He’s a lot of fun to watch. I hope he’s here again Saturday,” said Taylor’s husband, John, a 31-year member of Houston Volunteer Fire Department.
If potential pie eaters feel more compelled to expel than inhale, Sunday’s seed-spitting contest might be a safer bet. Even there, the competition will be tough. Dave Nottingham has held the record of spitting a pumpkin seed 37 feet since 2012.
The volunteer fire company depends on the annual festival in that it provides for 80 percent of their budget, organizers said. There are plenty of items and activities to spend on, and not just pumpkin-laced sweets: homemade jellies, mustards, goat milk products and dozens of crafters’ knick-knacks and furniture. Admission is otherwise free.
“We have a rock-climbing wall and bungee equipment for kids, sand art, reptiles and a petting zoo. The church groups have activities for the kids. And we will have art contests, a costume contest Saturday morning. But Friday afternoon is the big day for kids. The rest of the weekend is about the bands and general entertainment,” Darlene said.
The Houston American Legion grounds at 124 W. Pike Street open at 10 a.m. today, while festivities officially get underway at noon.
“We’ll be doing the usual crowning of the pumpkin prince and princess from Allison Park Elementary,” Darlene said. Shh! Don’t tell the kids: they’re picked at random after submitting their decorated pumpkins. Supermoon Band goes on at 5:00 to close out the evening, while Saturday morning opens up costume contest registration at 8:45. Ages 0-4, 5-8 and 9-12 can dress up and win prizes. This, all ahead of what organizers consider the main event – the parade. Starting at Shady Avenue and finishing up at McNary Street, a mile stretch of Pike Street will be blocked off to traffic from 10 to about 11:30. One of the new additions this year is a robot made by students at Western Area Career and Technology Center.
“The vo-tech kids are helping out as volunteers this year, as well. We’re not sure what they’ll have in the parade, but we’re excited to see it,” Darlene said.
In addition to tractors, trucks and candy-throwing candidates in cars, a driver will take a replica of the General Lee 1969 Dodge Charger from “The Dukes of Hazard” down the parade route. A full schedule of events can be found at http://www.houstonpumpkinfestival.net/.