Pumpkins, pancakes and a free concert from a former Voice contestant are about to take over Evans City. The fifth annual Evans City PumpkinFest runs this Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, bringing two days of food, crafts, live music and family activities to Evans City in Butler County, with the whole event free and open to everyone.
According to visitpittsburgh.com, the festival is billed as a two-day, family-friendly fall celebration packed with entertainment, food, crafts and community activities for all ages. The borough's own event listing, from evanscity.us, confirms PumpkinFest is free and open to everyone, and organizers say the show will go on rain or shine.
The festival's marquee moment arrives Saturday evening, when singer Chris Jamison — identified by the Butler Eagle as being from Season 7 of The Voice — takes the stage for a free concert. Per visitpittsburgh.com, Jamison's performance will be followed by a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m.
Vendors, Rides and a Weekend of Family Fun
Organizers are promising a packed vendor lineup, though sources differ on just how packed. The festival's own website says PumpkinFest will feature over 70 crafters and culinary artisans, while the Butler Eagle reports organizers are expecting almost 100 craft and food vendors this year. Either way, shoppers browsing Evans City's Main Street and surrounding areas, per the schedule posted on pumpkinfest.evanscityevents.org, should have plenty to choose from.
Beyond the food and crafts, the schedule includes free carriage rides running from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, and a Pumpkin Rumble car cruise from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, according to the festival's official site. Games, live music and other family-oriented activities round out the weekend, giving parents and kids plenty of reasons to wander the festival grounds between meals.
Breakfast Plans and Growing Crowds
Hungry early risers have a choice on Saturday morning, though the price tag depends on who you ask. The festival listing confirms an Evans City Volunteer Fire Department all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, while the Butler Eagle reports the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department is hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast for $5 that same morning.
Whatever the final tally on breakfast or vendor booths, the festival keeps growing. The Butler Eagle reports that organizers estimated about 7,000 people attended PumpkinFest over its two days last year, and that attendance has increased every year since the festival began. With a fifth anniversary celebration, a Voice alum on stage and fireworks capping Saturday night, Evans City appears set to keep that streak going.
