RUMFORD — The 11th annual River Valley Pumpkin Fest will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. downtown.
Hosted by Gaskyl Productions, the festival will feature food, vendors, artists, crafters, music, sales and activities for all ages along Congress, Hartford and Exchange streets.
Organizers encourage festivalgoers to purchase a pass to support the festival or consider making a donation at the ticket booth. A pass, or bracelet, is $3, which includes access to bounce houses, obstacle courses and a Glover family horse/pony ride.
Among the activities will be pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating at vendor spaces, children’s games and a costume contest and parade hosted by volunteers from Rumford Community Home. Lineup for the parade will be behind the former KeyBank at 11:30 a.m. Participants will march down Congress Street. Judging will be at noon at the Kezal Bandstand in Veterans Park. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in the categories of Best Kids, Best Adult and Best Group.
Performing at the bandstand will be T.L. Country Music from 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.
There’ll be live music all day on the main stage by The Outsiders Punkabilly Rebels.
A cornhole tourney will start at 1 p.m. behind the main stage on Exchange Street. The cost is $20 per team. Those who come along can pair up with other players. Sign-up is behind the main stage. Winners will take home half the cash raised that day, plus bonus prize money sponsored by Child & Sons Auto Sales & Repair and Gatch’s Food & Spirits.
Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Adam G. Gatchell Memorial Fund. Cornhole tourneys have been held all summer to benefit the fund. The Pumpkin Fest will be the tournament finale.
With help from the Rumford Fire Department, the Pumpkin River Race will take place at 3:30 p.m. when rubber pumpkins will be dropped into the canal. Prizes are $500 for first, $250 for second and $100 for third. Cost is $10 each or three for $25. Proceeds will go toward the 2024 Pumpkin Fest.
Pumpkin Race tickets are available through Ink Maine, Beautify Rumford, HBC Maine and the Rumford Fire Station.
There are four unique carnival games this year, one featuring a Lobster Launch sponsored by Ralph’s Market. There will be two launches per ticket. Children who hit the target will win prizes; adult winners will get a glass stein stuffed with goodies from local businesses.
Other games prizes include gift certificates sponsored by local restaurants, The Lure, Chamberlain’s Tap & Table and Gatch’s.
Game tickets are one for $1, 12 for $10, or 25 for $20.
Vendor and staff parking is available in the parking lot behind Tri-County Mental Health Services, as well as River Street.
Public Parking will be available on Canal Street and lot/streets behind Walgreens on the American Legion side.
Handicap parking will be on River Street at the end of Exchange Street, near the center of the festival with clear access in and out.
Reserved streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; no overnight parking will be allowed on reserved streets prior to the festival.
For information or vendor/sponsor applications, got to InkMaine at 432 Hancock St. or email rvpumpkinfest@gmail.com.
Organizers are still seeking groups/organizations of volunteers to help run bounce houses, carving areas, etc.
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