RUMFORD — Organizers are preparing for the fifth annual River Valley Pumpkin Fest next month.
The downtown festival, sponsored by EnvisionRumford and Gaskyl Productions, will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, rain or shine. It will feature more than 60 vendor booths, live music, food, games and contests, raffles, a bench auction and more.
Organizing committee member Kris Howes said sponsorships are available for any person or business. Prices start as low as $25, and go up to $500.
Howes said they are also seeking volunteers for the festival to help with setup and takedown, working the booths, directing the parking and cleanup.
The committee is also collecting Halloween decorations, candy for trick-or-treating, and small Halloween prizes for contests.
Vendor booths will be in the parking spots on Congress Street. The cost is $25 for singles, $40 for doubles, and $100 for food vendors. Nonprofit booths are $5.
Events will include:
• Downtown trick-or-treating, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; over 60 stops at businesses and vendor booths. A map and list of places will be available at the festival;
• Complimentary horse and wagon rides from Meadow Creek Farm all day;
• Hands-on-the-ice contest, tug-o-war tournament, hay bale toss, seed-spitting contest, horror scream and eating contest;
• Costume contests for all ages sponsored by United Insurance of Rumford at 1 p.m. on the Gaskyl & Puiia Stage. Categories are scary, funny, traditional and character;
• Trick-or-treating table outside United Insurance;
• Pumpkin toss and smash, sponsored by Ink Maine, for all ages. Prizes awarded;
• Free dog and puppy costume contest at 12:30 p.m. on the main stage sponsored by Barks & Bubbles Pet Grooming. Prizes for winners, sign-up at Barks & Bubbles on Exchange Street;
• Free mulled cider samples and trick-or-treating at Good Karma Cafe and Health Foods, 72 Congress St.
Vendor and sponsor forms are available on www.EnvisionRumford.org, or at Pumpkin Fest event Facebook page.
For information contact Kris Howes at InkMaine 58 Congress St., or call 364-1550.
bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net
Send questions/comments to the editors.
