Downtown Lima is set to host its second annual Pumpkin Invasion this weekend, bringing super-sized pumpkins, intricate carvings, live entertainment, food, and numerous activities for families.
The Lima Festival and Amphitheater Alliance will hold the event on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. on Friday with craft vendors, food trucks, and a beer tent opening at the Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater area, alongside a pumpkin patch. Music will be provided by DJ Phil Austin, according to the Alliance.
Shannon Gerasimchik, a co-founder of the Pumpkin Invasion, a Lima Festival and Amphitheater Alliance board member, and owner of the Social House, noted that a “big pumpkin patch” will be inside the amphitheater with many vendors. Gerasimchik also confirmed that Half Pint, a mini tank, will be on site, driving around and shooting T-shirts from a cannon.
At 5 p.m. on Friday, the giant pumpkin weigh-off will commence on Spring Street. Gerasimchik stated that pumpkin growers from across the region will bring their pumpkins to compete for cash prizes from a “$12,000 purse” for the event. The first-place winner is expected to receive $4,500 for the largest pumpkin. Last year, the heaviest pumpkin weighed just under 1,400 pounds. Gerasimchik expressed hope that this year's event might attract a pumpkin weighing 2,000 pounds or more, attributing this ambition to increased prize money. He described seeing pumpkins of that size as “pretty impressive,” comparing their potential dimensions to a small Volkswagen.
The three largest pumpkins from the weigh-off will remain on display throughout the weekend for photo opportunities, Gerasimchik confirmed. Any other pumpkins that are not among the top three are subject to being carved by seven nationally awarded pumpkin sculptors.
Also on Friday, a car show will begin at 5 p.m. Following this, Probable Cause is scheduled to perform on the Social House stage at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., a giant pumpkin-carver meet-and-greet will take place at the amphitheater, along with a carving demonstration and music by DJ Groovin’ Greg. Concurrently, the Beer Barrel Boys will perform on the main stage.
Saturday's Pumpkin Invasion activities will kick off at 11 a.m. with the carving contest and pumpkin painting sessions at the Social House and the amphitheater. At this time, craft vendors, food trucks, the beer tent, and the pumpkin patch will reopen for the day. Half Pint will also be present once again. Starting at 11 a.m., additional attractions will include free train rides, race cars from UNOH, laser tag, the Rhodes State Mobile Lab, a fire truck touch-a-truck experience, and children’s dance performances.
The rest of Saturday’s schedule includes Jason Grieshop performing on the main stage at 1 p.m., at which time a cornhole tournament will also begin. A Kewpee pumpkin pie eating contest is set for 2 p.m. on the main stage. At 3 p.m., pumpkin rolling races will take place, followed by Samuel Harness performing on the main stage. At 3:30 p.m., the Ohio State vs. Iowa football game will be shown on a jumbo screen at the amphitheater. The Devil Doves are slated to perform on the Social House stage at 6 p.m. The carving contest judging and winner announcements will conclude the day's events at 8 p.m. on the main stage.
Gerasimchik characterized the Pumpkin Invasion as “fun and different,” serving as a kickoff to the fall season. He anticipated that "tons of pumpkins that will be lined in the streets and flowers and whatnot" will help attendees get into the fall spirit.
