pumpkintown
Saturday, October 12, 2024 |10 am - 5 pmIf you’re seeking a fun outing on Saturday, October 12th, look no further than Pumpkintown 2024, in the historic downtown of Athens, Tennessee.
For the past 21 years, Pumpkintown has become one of East Tennessee’s most cherished festivals, attracting nearly 16,000 attendees annually. It is one of the largest events in McMinn County, offering plenty of activities for all ages. Organized by Friendly City Festivals, this family-friendly event is completely free to the public.
Pumpkintown highlights the rich cultural heritage of East Tennessee, showcasing Native American traditions and local history through captivating displays that engage visitors of every age. Attendees can look forward to exciting activities such as:
- Scott Crisp Memorial PowWow
- McMinn Regional Humane Society Mutt Strut and Adopt-a-Thon
- McMinn County Living Heritage Museum’s 37th Annual Quilt Show
- CASA Parrot Parrty Run/Walk
- CASA Celebrity Dunk Tank
- Historical walking tours
- Pumpkin Plinko
- Athens Art Center pumpkin painting
- A wide variety of fun activities for children
- Live entertainment across two stages
- Over 250 arts, crafts, information, and food vendors
- Shopping at local merchants
This remarkable event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, and we invite you to explore our sponsor area for more information.
Pumpkintown
Saturday, October 12, 2024
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Athens, TN
Vendor Map
(Click to open map and vendor list PDF)
Mayfield Dairy Farms
Willsonthropic, Inc.
McMinn County Tourism Board
City of Athens Public Works
City of Athens
DENSO
TVA
Tennessee Overhill
Athens Area Council for the Arts
Tennessee Arts Commission
Kiwanis
Athens Main Street
Athens Chamber of Commerce
Starr Regional Medical Center
Valley Oil
VEC Customer Shares
Wolfenden Family Pharmacies
Humana
Dynasty Spas
Kona Ice
Pendleton's Playground
Dynasty Spas
Simmons Bank - Private Wealth
Simmons Bank
Citizens National Bank
Warren Jackson CPAs
Hacker Sign Company
Mix 104.1
WYXI
WRCB-TV
WTVC-TV News Channel 9
WBIR-TV
The Daily Post-Athenian
Pumpkintown Countdown
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Pumpkintown Festival Schedule
Friday & Saturday, October 11| Setup and Vendor Check-in
Friday, October 11
4 PM Streets Closed
Downtown
Friday, October 11
5-8 PM Vendor Check-In
Market Park Pavilion
Saturday, October 12
7-9 AM Vendor Check-In
Market Park Pavilion
Saturday, October 12| Pumpkintown Festival Events
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Market Park
Pumpkintown PowWow in Memory of Scott Crisp
The Scott Crisp Memorial PowWow is dedicated to the memory of Scott Crisp, a beloved committee member of Pumpkintown until his untimely death in 2016. The beat of a native drum and the notes of a flute will lead you down to Market Park where you will experience tribal dances, Native American crafts, and the famous Potato Dance!
10:00 am Gates Open – MC – Robert Redhawk
10:15 am Native Flute Player – Jack Lynn, Gaylon Nelson, Kyle Coatney
11:45 am Drum Warm Up – Calling all Dancers
12:00 pm Grand Entry – All Dancers
12:30 pm Intertribal – 1 round – All Dancers Welcome
12:40 pm POW WOW TIME
Dance Categories
Mens Traditional – Mens Fancy – Grass – Hoop Dancer
Women’s Traditional – Women’s Fancy – Jingle – Candy Dance
1:20 pm Aztec Dancers – Javier Alfaro & Family
1:50 pm Intertribal – 2 rounds – All Dancers Welcome
2:00 pm DANCERS BREAK UNTIL 3:50 PM
2:00 pm Blow Gun Demonstration – Sharlene (Assisted by Javier)
2:15 pm Native Flute Player – Jack Lynn, Gaylon Nelson, Kyle Coatney
3:15 pm Broom Dance
3:45 pm Drum Warm Up – Calling all Dancers
3:50 pm Intertribal – 2 rounds – All Dancers Welcome
4:00 pm POW WOW TIME
Dance Categories
Mens Traditional – Mens Fancy – Grass- Hoop Dancer
Women’s Traditional – Women’s Fancy – Jingle – Broom Dance
Intertribal – All Dancers Welcome – Draw final 1 Names
5:00 pm Retire Flags – Close Circle
5:30 pm Gates Close – See you next year!
*Times are approximate and subject to change based on availability, inclement weather, or other factors.
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
McMinn County Living Heritage Museum
McMinn County Living Heritage Museum
Annual Quilt Show
The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum’s 37th Annual Quilt Show entitled “Quilted Creations” will be available to Pumpkintown attendees free of charge during museum hours the day of Pumpkintown. This award-winning show produced by the Heritage Quilt Guild will feature more than 100 quilts in a variety of categories.
522 West Madison Avenue, Athens, TN 37303
More information: (423) 745-0329 www.livingheritagemuseum.org
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Let’s read 20 bus
Located McMinn County Education Foundation on N. White St.
7:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
CASA Parrot Parrty 5K/1 mile walk.
CASA Corridor of East Tennessee is hosting two fundraisers this year at Pumpkintown.
- Parrot Parrty Run and Play
- Celebrity Dunk Tank
CASA recruits and trains volunteers to act as advocates for children in the court systems of McMinn, Meigs, and Rhea Counties.
Parrot Parrty Run and Play
7-10 AM Eureka Trail
To register or for more information:
https://casacorridor.org/news-events/
Celebrity Dunk Tank
Well-known community members such as City Council member Larry Eaton and State Senator Adam Lowe along with other notable community members will be standing by for you to take your shot at the Celebrity Dunk Tank to help raise awareness for abused and neglected children in our community.
Dunk Tank will be set up at the CASA booth at Pumpkintown in downtown Athens.
11:00 a.m.
Corner of N. Jackson & Washington
Historical Walking Tour
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(See Adopt-a-thon schedule for specific times and locations.)
McMinn Regional Humane Society
Adopt-a-Thon activities
Market Park
10:00 – 10:45 am – Registration for Mutt Strutt/Doggie Costume Contest
10:30 – Line up at Market Park
10:45 – The infamous Mutt Strutt!
11:00 – Judging
11:45 – Contest Winners Announced
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – MRHS at Market Park Booth
Fuller’s Frame Shop & Gallery
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Adopt-a-Thon at Fuller’s
Dogs/Puppies
Cats/Kittens
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
North Jackson Street
Pumpkin Plinko
On North Jackson Street, one of the largest Plinko games in the world is set up by the Athens Parks and Recreation Department, where young and old alike roll balls down the street through a maze of pumpkins. The object is to score a perfect 30 to win a big prize! A perfect 30 takes a lot of pumpkin luck. Come on out, and try your luck!
City of Athens Parks and Recreation Youth Council
(423) 744-2700 www.cityofathenstn.com
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
North Jackson Street
Pumpkin Painting
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (While supplies last)
Location: Athens Art Center
Make plans to stop by The Arts Center on North White Street to check out the phenomenal new space. While you are there, get your creative juices flowing with pumpkin painting from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or as long as supplies last.
Inside, The Arts Center will host an open exhibit and art competition (Sept 9- Oct 18). Visual arts exhibits at The Arts Center are always free to the public.
Free parking is available at the Art Center. It’s only a short walk from there to the festival.
The Arts Center (423) 745-8781 www.athensartscenter.org
Market Park-Pony Rides and Petting Zoo
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Market Park-Let’s Bounce Rentals
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Madison Avenue Carnival Rides and Reptile Zoo
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bluebird Dancers
Courthouse Steps
McKee Promotions/Sound10:00 a.m. – Jim Brooks
- 11:00 a.m. – Inspirations Dance Studio “BeetleJuice”
- 12:00 p.m. – Jim Brooks
- 1:00 p.m. – Nate Viele
- 2:00 p.m. – Inspirations Dance Studio
- 3:00 p.m. – Further Up The Road
Market Park Pavilion
Integrity Sound Solutions- 10:00 a.m. – Further Up The Road
- 10:00-10:45 a.m. – Registration for Mutt Strutt/Doggie Costume
- 10:45 a.m. – Mutt Strutt/Doggie Costume
- 11:00-11:45 a.m. – The Warman Trio
- 11:45 a.m. – Costume Contest Winners Announced
- 12:15 -1:00 p.m. – The Warman Trio
- 1:15 – 2:00 p.m. – Early Morning String Dusters
- 2:00-3:00 p.m. – Leo Collins-Bluebird Dancers-Appalachian String Band
- 3:00 p.m. – Skelton Key