Missouri Town Turns Into Pumpkin Paradise

With the coming of October, our thoughts turn to all things - pumpkin. From growing the biggest ones to carving the most creative ones to who makes the best pie, we love our pumpkins.

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This weekend, the small Missouri town of Hartsburg, population 90, pulls out all the stops to celebrate its traditional Pumpkin Festival. The festival, which started in 1991, has grown to be the biggest in the state of Missouri where people from all over come to visit. The self-proclaimed "Missouri's Pumpkin Patch," is filled not only with pumpkins but family activities, arts & crafts, food, drinks, and more. As you might imagine at such a gathering, more than 100 vendors will be on hand, selling everything from handmade crafts to artwork.

Guest can enjoy pumpkin carving contests, pumpkin pie eating competitions, hayrides in the pumpkin patch,  pumpkin painting, apple butter making, and a straw maze. Basically, anything and everything that has a pumpkin attached to it can be found in Hartsburg.

The weekend begins at 9 a.m. Saturday with the crowning of (what else?) the Pumpkin King, followed by a parade that begins at the trailhead of the Katy Trail. Thes best part is the festival is free to attend along with free parking. It cost you nothing to the family out for a day of pumpkin fun.