Who knew that pumpkins could be so much fun? (Anyone who’s ever gone to the Circleville Pumpkin Show, that’s who!)

About 100,000 pounds-worth of pumpkins and gourds line the street in

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

The treats at the show please the eyes, as well as the tummy.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

If a person can’t find any unique fall decorations at the Circleville Pumpkin Show, he may be out of his gourd!

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

Pumpkins come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and textures.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

Every year, Circleville, a small central Ohio town of around 13,485 people, plays host to a pumpkin event like no other. Originated by Mayor George Haswell over 100 years ago, the Circleville Pumpkin Show was originally created as a way to bring country folks into town to proudly display their produce. Today the event attracts over 400,000 visitors a year. (A recent survey found visitors from 34 states and 13 foreign countries!)

In its early years, the show featured horse races along Main Street, high-wire acts, flag pole sitters, fire eaters, wild creatures and magic acts. Nowadays, the pumpkin show offers numerous family-friendly attractions and activities throughout the four-day event, including seven parades with over 50 bands and 40 floats passing along Main Street, rides for kids and adults, a pie-eating contest, egg tossing and hog calling.

But the star of the show, of course, is the mighty pumpkin – no matter what the form. Whole, carved, baked or cooked – it doesn’t matter!

Visitors can feast on typical pumpkin treats, like pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread and pumpkin cookies. They can also enjoy cakes, soups, waffles, cream puffs, donuts, taffy, ice cream, fudge, burgers and chili – yes, all made with pumpkins. (Approximately 23,000 pumpkin pies are sold over the four day period and over 100,000 pumpkin donuts – they’re that good!)

In addition to pleasing your taste buds, you can feast your eyes on the amazing show sights set throughout downtown Circleville, including about 100,000 pounds-worth of pumpkins, squash and gourds displayed along the street; canned goods; a flower show; fruits and vegetables; an art show; and giant pumpkin winners tenderly grown by contestants. And where else can you find a huge pumpkin pie 6 feet wide and over 400 pounds?!

So if you’re ever in Ohio near Pickaway County on the third Wednesday through Sunday of October, be sure and stop at the Circleville Pumpkin Show – and prepare yourself for a truly mouthwatering adventure!