(Photo by Flickr User Doug Pieper)
Each September, in celebration of the pumpkin canning season, the city of Morton, IL hosts the Morton Pumpkin Festival. 2015 will be the Festival’s 49th year. Come and celebrate with them!
History about the Morton Pumpkin Festival:
In 1967, the first Morton Pumpkin Festival was organized by the Morton Chamber of Commerce as an annual fund raiser and celebration of the beginning of the pumpkin harvest and canning season at the local Libby’s Pumpkin Plant.
In 1978, the Governor of Illinois signed a proclamation that Morton, Illinois was the “Pumpkin Capital of the World” since 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin was processed at their Libby’s Pumpkin plant.
Today, the Morton Pumpkin Festival includes over 30 special events and venues hosted and organized by over 2,000 volunteers. The festival welcomes an estimated 70,000 visitors. Each year, a theme for the festival is selected through a voting process by community members and the Morton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
The festival is governed by the Morton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a Pumpkin Festival Oversight Committee that includes both Chamber Board Members, Community Leaders, and Festival Chairmen.
The 30 plus events and venues that occur during the festival are organized by Chamber Members and community volunteers. Each activity has one or several volunteer Chairmen along with volunteer team members.
In 2012, Libby’s Pumpkin became the official sponsor for the Morton Pumpkin Festival!
Here is a list of what will be happening at this year’s 49th Annual Morton Pumpkin Festival-
Saturday, September 12th-
1:00-4:00 pm: Photography Show entries accepted (Library)
7:00 pm: Photography Show critique (Library)
Sunday, September 13th-
1:00-4:00 pm: Art Show entries accepted (Library)
7:00 pm: Art Show critique (Library)
Monday, September 14th-
All Day: Art & Photography Shows (Library)
Tuesday, September 15th-
All Day: Art & Photography (Library)
4:00-5:30 pm: Pumpkin Weigh Off
4:30-6:00 pm: Pumpkin Decorating Contest entries accepted
6:30 pm: Big Wheel Race (Washington St. between Main & Plum)
Wednesday, September 16th-
All Day: Art & Photography Shows (Library)
4:00-8:00 pm: Pumpkin Business Expo open
4:00-8:00 pm: Pumpkin Store open
4:00 pm: Carnival & Midway opens
4:00-9:30 pm: Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe Open
4:00-9:30 pm: Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe Express Open (Morton Community Foundation)
4:30-9:00 pm: Pumpkin Grille open
5:00-5:15 pm: Official Opening Ceremony (Main Stage)
5:15-9:00 pm: Entertainment (Main Stage)
6:30-7:30 pm: Pumpkin Princess Pageant (Main Stage)
Thursday, September 17th-
All Day: Art & Photography Shows (Library)
1:00-4:30 pm: Senior Appreciation Afternoon
1:00-3:30 pm: Pumpkin Bingo (Pumpkin Grille)
3:00-8:00 pm: Pumpkin Business Expo open
3:30-4:30 pm: Free pie & coffee for seniors (Pumpkin Grille)
3:30-5:00 pm: Central IL Banjo Club (Main Stage)
4:00 pm: Carnival & Midway opens
4:00-8:00 pm: Pumpkin Store open
4:30-9:30 pm Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe open
4:30-9:30 pm Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe Express open (Morton Community Foundation)
4:00-7:00 pm: Pumpkin-To-Go open (near Kmart)
4:30-9:00 pm: Pumpkin Grille open
5:00-9:00 pm: Entertainment (Main Stage)
6:00-6:30 pm: Kiddie Parade (Downtown)
6:00-7:00 pm: Pumpkin Idol Jr. Finals (Main Stage)
Friday, September 18th-
All Day: Art & Photography Shows (Library)
11:00 am-1:00 pm: Pumpkin Grille open
11:00 am-1:00 pm: Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe open
11:00 am-7:00 pm: Pumpkin-To-Go Open (near Kmart)
3:00 pm: Carnival & Midway opens
3:00 pm-Dusk: Pumpkin Craft Faire open (Downtown)
4:00-5:00 pm: Character Meet & Greet for Kids (Main Stage)
4:00-7:00 pm: Pumpkin-To-Go open (near Kmart)
4:00-8:00 pm: Pumpkin Store open
4:00-9:00 pm: Pumpkin Business Expo open
4:00-9:00 pm: Entertainment on Main Stage
4:00-9:30 pm: Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe open
4:00-9:30 pm: Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe Express open (Morton Community Foundation)
4:00-9:00 pm: Pumpkin Grille open
5:00-7:00 pm: Pumpkin Classic packet pick up (Kmart parking lot)
6:00-7:00 pm: Pumpkin Idol Finals (Main Stage)
Saturday, September 19th-
6:30-10:30 am: Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast (Pumpkin Grille)
6:30-10:00 am: Entertainment (Main Stage)
noon-9:00 pm: Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe Express Open (Morton Community Foundation)
7:30 am: Pumpkin Classic 10K/2Mile run/walk begins
8:00 am-Dusk: Pumpkin Craft Faire open (Downtown)
10:30 am: Pumpkin Festival Parade begins
11:00 am-7:00 pm: Pumpkin-To-Go open (near Kmart)
Noon: Carnival & Midway opens
Noon-8:00 pm Pumpkin Business Expo open
Noon-8:00 pm: Pumpkin Store open
Noon-9:00 pm Pumpkin Grille open
Noon-9:00 pm Pumpkin Sweet Shoppe Open
Noon-9:00 pm: Entertainment (Main Stage)
12:30-1:00 pm: Miss Morton Talent (Main Stage)
1:00-4:00 pm: Art & Photography Shows (Library)
4:00-5:00 pm: Pie Eating Competition (Main Stage)
5:00-5:30 pm: LIBBY’S Pumpkin Recipe Challenge Winner (Main Stage)
9:00 pm: Festival Closes
To get more information on the Morton Pumpkin festival, give the Morton Chamber Of Commerce a call at 309-263-2491 or go online to www.mortonpumpkinfestival.org!
