TIP #1 // Come Hungry! The Morton Pumpkin Festival operates two food tents and the carnival midway offers more options for snacks and dinner. Visit the Pumpkin Grill tent and enjoy pork chop sandwiches, brats, hot dogs, pumpkin chili, and pumpkin pasta salad, after that you'll want to satisfy your sweet tooth, we recommend you visit the Festival Sweet Shop for all things pumpkin from ice cream and pie to pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, doughnuts more!
TIP #2 // Wear Your Walking Shoes. The festival covers a lot of ground and the Art and Craft Market is now a mere quarter mile away from the grounds at Birchwood Park. Follow the walking path through the neighborhood off Main St. to reach the Art and Craft Market.
TIP #3 // Purchase Tickets in Advance. You can purchase carnival tickets + wristbands in advance at local Morton businesses and save a few dollars. The wristbands will allow you to ride as many rides as you like between 2:30 and 5:30 pm. There are also so many free + fun family activities at the Family Fun Patch, located at Church Square (across from the School at 225 E. Jefferson St).
TIP #4 // Visit the Entertainment Stage. Each weekday night enjoy free, live music at 7:30 pm on the Gold’s Gym Entertainment Stage. On Saturday afternoon watch the pumpkin pie eating contest at 3 pm and local dance and theater performances the rest of the afternoon, ending with headliner Rachel Schumacher performing.
TIP #5 // Set your alarm for Saturday morning. Pumpkin Pancakes are hot off the grill starting at 6:30am. Enjoy breakfast and then walk through the Art and Craft Market that opens at 8 am before finding the perfect spot along Jefferson Street to view the Pumpkin Festival Parade that kicks off at 10:30 am from Jefferson and Nebraska. Don’t forget to bring a bag to collect all the candy and toys. Sport your orange to the parade to show your pumpkin spirit!
Photo References: Morton Pumpkin Festival
