Pony Express PumpkinFest
Pony Express PumpkinFest is an annual family arts festival held ever year during the second full weekend in October. This year it will be October 12, 13 & 14th.
Come and celebrate the fall harvest at the annual Pony Express Pumpkinest. Live entertainment & music, reenactments, storytelling, children's costume parade, festival rides, games, crafts and food vendors and more.
Be sure not to miss the lighting of the "Great Pumpkin Mountain" on opening night. Thousands of people come to view the hundreds of carved, electrically lit pumpkins come to life with the flip of a switch! It's simply breathtaking to view.
The festival is held on the grounds of the Pony Express Museum and Patee Park, 914 Penn Street, St. Joseph. More information.
The 17th annual 2012 Pumpkinfest, a family focused festival sponsored by the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, MO. opens 5 P.M. Friday October 12th and runs through Sunday, October 14th until 5 P.M.
The highlight of the celebration takes place at 8 P.M. Friday, October 12th when over 800 hand - carved pumpkins will be electrically lit on “Pumpkin Mountain in front of the museum.
Almost continuous entertainment for both adults and children will occur both on stage and on the grounds of Patee Park across from the museum during the 3-day family event. Food will also be available in the park. Children’s activities include crafts and games, wandering magician, balloon man, storytelling and much more. Come see X-Static band on Friday evening and The Phil Vandel Band on Saturday evening. Back by popular demand, The Baker Family; listen as the children play bluegrass and country music. Also, don’t miss MandaLynn and the Rocking Country Variety Show on Sunday.
Families can enjoy the carnival rides, period wagon rides, pony rides and a petting zoo. Families and children are invited to participate in the Costume Parade Saturday morning at 11:00 A.M. Registration starts at 10:00 A.M. at Patee Hall, 9th and Olive. At 11:30 A.M. on the main stage, prizes will be awarded for the best costumes and there is a grand prize that is being donated by Hy-Vee of St. Joseph, the parade sponsor.
Festivities start Friday, October 12th, 5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. Saturday. October 13th, 10:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. and Sunday, October 14th, Noon – 5:00 P.M.
“In the Pony School on Friday and Saturday, local historian, Kathy Ridge will share fun and fascinating facts about our First Forefather, on the 280th anniversary of his birth. Her presentation on George Washington is “Family, Fighting, and Farming – a Closer Look at the Father of our Country," said Director Cindy Daffron.
On Sunday, Mrs. Ridge will switch gears – and costumes – and will be on hand to interpret the Pony School. As the schoolmarm, she will bring to life a typical day at the 1860 – style one-room schoolhouse, the newest addition to the Pony Express Museum. Daffron states, “This is a don’t miss event at Pumpkinfest!”
Friday, October 12, 2012
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
7:00 pm – 7:45 pm
8:00 pm – Great Pumpkin Mountain Lighting Event
Saturday, October 13, 2012
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Sunday, October 14, 2012
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Pony Express Museum
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Whimsical Horses with interpretation by Dorothy Wenz
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Museum Store: Book Signing: Rosalie Vandewater-Ingle, Book: “The Stage is Coming!”
Tickets are available at admission desk- Pony Express Museum. Limited seating
No charge for tickets. Generosity of Heartland Health
Sponsors: St Joseph Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.