pumpkintown
21st Annual Fall Festival
Downtown Athens, TN
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10 am – 5 pm
If you’re looking for something to do on Saturday, October 14th, look no further than Pumpkintown 2023.
Pumpkintown, held in historical downtown Athens, Tennessee, has become one of the region’s favorite festivals in East Tennessee for the last 20 years with plenty of activities for young and old. Pumpkintown is produced by Friendly City Festivals and is free to the public. The festival hours are 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Pumpkintown celebrates the rich cultural history of East Tennessee. Native American culture and local history are displayed with elements that are unique and interesting for all ages. Pumpkintown is one of the largest annually attended events in McMinn County with almost 16,000 in attendance.
Some of the planned events will include:
- Scott Crisp Memorial PowWow
- McMinn County Living Heritage Museum-36th Annual Quilt Show
- McMinn Regional Humane Society Mutt Strut & Adopt-a-thon
- Pumpkin Plinko
- Pumpkin Painting at The Arts Center
- Historical Walking Tours
- Live Entertainment on Two Stages
- 250 + arts/crafts/info/food vendors
- Local Shopping
This event is made possible by its many sponsors. Please click the link to visit our sponsor area.
Pumpkintown
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Athens, TN
Vendor Application
THANK YOU, SPONSORS!
Willsonthropic, Inc.
DENSO
Presenting Sponsor
City of Athens
Mayfield Dairy Farms
Starr Regional Medical Center
Kiwanis International
Tennessee Arts Commission
Tennessee Overhill
McMinn County Tourism Board
Exit Milestone Realty
Simmons Bank
Simmons Bank – Wealth Management
Citizens National Bank of Sevier County
Valley Oil
Wolfenden Family Pharmacies
Oneheart Dojo
Dynasty Spas
Humana
VEC Customer Shares
Warren Jackson CPAs
Pumpkintown Countdown
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Pumpkintown
Festival Schedule
Friday, October 13 | Setup and Vendor Check-in
Friday, October 13
4 PM Streets Closed
Downtown
Friday, October 13
5-8 PM Vendor Check-In
Market Park Pavilion
Saturday, October 14 | Pumpkintown Festival Events
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Market Park
Pumpkintown PowWow in Memory of Scott Crisp
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 – Bear & Sharlene
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.
(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 – The infamous Mutt Strutt!
11:00 – Judging of Doggie Costume Contest
11:30- Contest Winners Announced
Fullers Frame Shop
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Adopt-a-Thon
Dogs/Puppies
Cats/Kittens
Paw Print Art
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
McMinn County Living Heritage Museum
McMinn County Living Heritage Museum
Annual Quilt Show
This year’s McMinn County Living Heritage Museum’s annual Quilt Show is entitled “Sew Many Quilts.” This award-winning show will feature more than 100 quilts in a variety of categories. Admission is free during Pumpkintown!
522 West Madison Avenue, Athens, TN 37303
More information: (423) 745-0329 www.livingheritagemuseum.org
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
North Jackson Street
Pumpkin Plinko
On South 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 try yours out!
City of Athens Parks and Recreation Youth Council
(423) 744-2700 www.cityofathenstn.com
11:00 a.m.
Corner of N. Jackson & Washington
Historical Walking Tour
Courthouse Steps
McKee Promotions/Sound10:00 AM – Armfield Dance Studio
- 11:00 AM – Inspirations Dance Studio
- 12:00 PM – Oneheart Dojo
- 1:00 PM – Inspirations Dance Studio
- 2:00 PM – Oneheart Dojo
- 3:00 PM – Armfield Dance Studio
Market Park Pavilion
Integrity Sound Solutions- 10:00 AM – Jim Brooks
- 10:00 AM – Registration for Mutt Strutt/Doggie Costume
- 10:30 AM – Mutt Strutt/Doggie Costume
- 10:30 AM – Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie Band
- 11:00 AM – Costume Contest Judging
- 11:30 AM – Mutt Strutt Contest Winners Announced
- 11:45 AM – Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie Band
- 12:15 AM – Jim Brooks
- 1:00 PM – Sugar Lime Blue
- 3:00 PM – Never Too Late