FeedsFestival takes off Sept. 19
Downtown Development Authority staffers are once again preparing for the largest city get-together – the 12th annual Romulus Pumpkin Festival.
This year, the Pumpkin Festival will begin Friday, Sept. 19, in the downtown area with some old stand-bys such as music and food, but also some notable changes, said Maria Lambert, the city downtown development director.
“This year, we’re going to have a pumpkin-chucking contest,” she said. “There will be a prize given to person who throws the pumpkin the farthest. Obviously, we’re going to use small pumpkins.”
The Pumpkin Festival Committee was established in 1996 and the first festival took place in 1997. The festival is typically scheduled for the third full weekend in September.
As has become tradition, the festival begins with the “Parade of Lights,” with participants who drive or ride in vehicles adorned with lights. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to wait for the fun.
The street festival hosts many artists, food vendors, crafts and activities for family fun.
This year, the classic car show and tractor show will again be a part of the event.
Several events will raise money for community groups. A Bunko tournament and other games will provide needed funds for the Romulus Historical Society, and a three-day bingo tournament will benefit the effort to build a new Romulus Animal Shelter. The Bingo tournament will once again take place at the Romulus Senior Center.
The Boy Scouts are also hosting a pancake breakfast this year that will help them raise money for their activities.
One tradition that got lost in the shuffle is being re-introduced, Lambert said.
A “scary pumpkin” contest will allow participants to either paint or carve their pumpkins for a prize, she added.
“This is something that we’re bringing back, and each year, it will have anew theme,” she said. “We’re asking people to carve their pumpkins and drop them off at the senior center on Tuesday the 16th. We will judge them on Sunday.”
Planning for the Pumpkin Festival begins in March, and logistically, several staffers and volunteers make the event come to fruition, Lambert said.
This year, there were some unexpected obstacles, however.
Funding for the festival is defrayed in large part due to advertisements in a souvenir booklet published by the festival committee. Lambert said the number of ads in the book are down, but to no great detriment to the event.
“Some of the people we call to place an ad in the booklet were unable to do so because of the tough economy,” she said.
The Pumpkin Festival will take place from Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21. For information visit www.romulusgov.com.
Questions can be directed to the festival hotline at (734) 955-4577.
