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Shelburne Rotary’s PumpkinFest returns with new activities for 2026

September 24, 2026   ·   0 Comments

Written By JOSHUA DRAKES

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Shelburne’s Rotary Club is preparing to bring the community together for another afternoon of fall fun with the fourth annual PumpkinFest on Saturday, Oct. 3.

The event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Natasha Patterson Memorial Park and will feature activities, entertainment, vendors and games for residents of all ages. 

PumpkinFest is a free community event, but a $10 wristband is required for access to certain activities, including inflatables, face painting, and character appearances. Every family attending can also take home a pumpkin.

Organizer Michelle Chidwick said that this year’s event will introduce several new attractions.

“We’re gonna have bumper cars this year, with the hope that it will bring in an older kid demographic,” she said. “We’re also going to have a band there this year, which we haven’t done before. They’re going to be forming later during the second half of the event.”

Chidwick added, “We’re also introducing games where you can win a prize as well this year. We’re going to have a family pumpkin relay race, a donut eating contest, and a pie eating contest. So, there’ll be prizes for that. There’s lots of new things happening.”

Entertainment throughout the afternoon will include a performance by Turn It Out Dance, a family fitness class, music and a live band later in the event. Caricature drawings will also be available as part of the wristband activities.

Chidwick said that the event will also feature a vendor market for visitors to shop for a wide variety of goods.

“This will actually be our third year doing a vendor market, which is always nice to have,” she said. “This year we have just about 20 vendors coming, ranging from baked goods to crafts to swag, all that sort of stuff. 

PumpkinFest was created as a way to bring the community together while also giving back. The event is held in conjunction with the Rotary Club’s annual food drive, with residents able to bring food donations to PumpkinFest if their donation bag was not collected during the drive.

Last year’s PumpkinFest attracted an estimated 750 people, and organizers are hoping to reach 1,000 attendees this year. 

Proceeds from the $10 wristbands will go to the Shelburne Rotary Club, supporting its ongoing efforts to give back to the community and support local initiatives.

The Rotary Club is still accepting vendors, sponsors and volunteers ahead of the event. Vendor spaces are available for $35, while student volunteers can also use the event toward their required volunteer hours.

With activities for children, families and adults, PumpkinFest aims to provide an opportunity for residents to enjoy the fall season while supporting local organizations, vendors and entertainers.

“PumpkinFest is a great way to connect with your neighbors and your community, and the Rotary Club, who then supports town initiatives,” Chidwick said. “You’re also supporting the vendors and the entertainers that are there. So as much as you might be having fun, you’re also giving back to everybody else who is also there.”

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