The Morton Pumpkin Festival is a four-day event held every September in Morton, Illinois. Organized by the Morton Chamber of Commerce, it attracts about 75,000 visitors annually. Morton was called the "Pumpkin Capital of the World" since it hosted Nestle's Libby pumpkin plant, producing about 80% of the world's canned pumpkins. The first Morton Pumpkin Festival was organized in 1967 as an annual celebration of the pumpkin harvest season.
Schedule of Events
The Pumpkin Festival in Morton boasts about 30 special events and a large carnival. Operated by Big M Amusements, the carnival offers a wide selection of rides and games for all ages. Festival-goers can also enjoy famous festival foods such as elephant ears, corn dogs, pumpkin doughnuts, funnel cakes, and lemon shake-ups. Notable events include the Pumpkin Tennis Open, Fishing Derby, Pumpkin Pedal, and Big Wheel Race.
Carnival & Contests at the Fest
The festival also features lots of contests: Pumpkin Decorating & Pumpkin Pin Search, LIBBY's Pumpkin Recipe Challenge, Pumpkin Princess Pageant, Precious Baby & Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, and others. Entertainment includes live music acts. The Morton Pumpkin Festival carnival is one of the significant fall events in Illinois for many families.
Pumpkin Festival Parade (September 14, 2024)
The Morton Pumpkin Festival wouldn't be complete without its massive parade, held on Saturday at 10:30 am. The Pumpkin Festival Parade features over 100 entries and colorful floats marching along Jefferson Street. With marching bands, vintage cars, and popular children's characters, it's a favorite event for many festival-goers. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange to celebrate the pumpkin season.
Tickets
Carnival tickets are $35 for a strip of 10 or $4 each and can be purchased at ticket booths throughout the midway. These booths accept both cash and credit cards. Each ride requires 1 or 2 tickets, depending on the size of the ride. Wristbands are $30.
Festival History
The Morton Pumpkin Festival, first organized in 1967 by the Morton Chamber of Commerce, celebrates the pumpkin harvest and canning season at the local Libby's Pumpkin Plant. In 1978, Morton, Illinois, was declared the "Pumpkin Capital of the World" due to Libby's processing 85% of the world's canned pumpkin. The festival now features over 30 events, attracting around 75,000 visitors, and is supported by over 1,500 volunteers. Each year, a theme is chosen by the community.
