Circleville Pumpkin Show 2024 in Ohio

Circleville Pumpkin Show is one of the largest similar events in the Midwest, held during the third week of October, from Wednesday to Saturday. It takes place in Circleville, Ohio, about 30 mi (48 km) from Columbus. The festival, showcasing agriculture and farming, is organized by the Circleville Pumpkin Show Corporation. The four-day event attracts about 400,000 people.

Most events of the festival take place in downtown Circleville, occupying 12 blocks, between South Scioto and Pickaway Streets, as well as Watt/Pinckney and Franklin Street on the south. The festival is free for the public to attend, Limited free public parking in downtown Circleville is also available. In addition to live music and various attractions, the festival offers excellent food. Every year, about 23,000 pumpkin pies and over 100,000 pumpkin donuts are sold at the festival.

Festival Highlights

The festival starts with a weigh-in of giant pumpkins. In 2014, the record largest pumpkin of 891 kg (1,964 lb) was presented at the show. Usually, the winner of the festival is heavier than 1,000 lb (450 kg). In 2023, a 2,388.5-pound pumpkin from Bob & Jo Liggett broke the Ohio State Record. Another attraction of the festival is a giant pumpkin pie. In 2006, the pie had the official title of the world's largest. The festival also features a Miss Pumpkin Show Queen pageant and seven parades that hit the streets.

2024 Parades Schedule

Parades are among the most loved and awaited events of the festival. The first parade of the season, the Little Miss Pumpkin Show Parade, takes place on Wednesday, October 16, at 3:30 pm, followed by the Miss Pumpkin Show Parade at 8 pm. On Thursday, October 17, Baby Parade takes to the streets at 3:30 pm. The popular Bands & Youth Organizations Parade starts at 8 pm. Locals bring their four-legged friends for the Pet Parade on Friday, October 18, at 3:30 pm. Lodges, Civil, & Fraternal Organizations Parade is scheduled for 8 pm. On Saturday, October 19, the Ohio Festival & Events Association Queens Parade will take off at 8 pm. The parades go along E. Fraklin St, N. Scioto St, Pinckney St, and E. Main St.

Festival History

Circleville Pumpkin Show dates back to 1903 when local mayor George R. Haswell decided to organize a pumpkin-and-corn exhibit in front of his store. In 1905, the amusement rides were added to the festival. Over the years, the Pumpkin Show has become the sixth-largest festival in the US. It's also one of the oldest such events in the country. The festival has been held continuously since 1903, even during the influenza outbreaks in 1918–1919. The Pumpkin Show skipped a year during World War I, two years during World War II, and was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.