Carve them or hurl them at the 23rd Annual Renfrew Pumpkin Festival
WAYNESBORO - Carve your own pumpkin or watch them fly through the sky during the 23rd annual Renfrew Pumpkin Festival, scheduled for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro, rain or shine.
The festival, a joint fund-raiser for Renfrew Institute and Renfrew Museum, includes a full day of activities and fun for all ages.
The ever-popular trebuchet will run throughout the day, sending pumpkins flying through the sky. Trebuchets - giant catapult devices- have their origins in the Middle Ages.
“Our trebuchet hurls pumpkins, and is great fun to watch,” said Maxine Beck, festival co-chair, in a press release announcing the event. “The trebuchet was constructed by volunteers who researched the devices thoroughly to create an authentic working model. A horn is blown just before each pumpkin is launched, and spectators love to see how far they fly.”
A team of pumpkin artists will be on hand to help guests carve their own pumpkins during the festival. Safe carving tools and adult supervision are provided. Pumpkins will be available for purchase, priced by size. Decorative Indian corn bundles will also be sold.
Live music is a festival mainstay, and this year the popular bluegrass band Marv Ashby and High Octane joins the event for the first time. Based in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, the band is known for dynamic traditional and contemporary bluegrass.
“The day is all about family fun,” Beck said. The corn toss game, pumpkin bowling, and pumpkin ping-pong are fun for all ages. Kids will enjoy face painting, and a “corn kernel station” provides a sandbox-like activity with a pool full of dried corn kernels. Both tractor-drawn and horse-drawn hayrides will be provided. Photo board setups add to the fun.
The make-and-take scarecrow workshop is always popular. Participants are encouraged to bring their own long-sleeve shirts and pants. Some clothes will be provided, but may run out during the event. Scarecrow clothing donations are welcome.
“Used clothing in sizes from children’s large to adult small is best for making the scarecrows,” said Beck. Straw and instructions are also provided.
A full lunch is included in the price of admission - soup, fresh bread, cider and sliced apples. A choice of homemade soups is offered, traditional ham and bean and vegetarian vegetable.
New this year, steamers, fries and country chicken sandwiches will be sold separately, along with hot dogs, soda and coffee. In addition, a bake sale will offer a variety of homemade goodies.
Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children age 3 and under. Cash or credit cards are accepted. Renfrew Museum will hold an “open house” for tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., included with admission to the festival.
Parking is available adjacent to the Visitor’s Center barn, with some additional parking in Renfrew’s lower lot off Welty Road. A golf cart will shuttle those who need assistance from the parking area to the festival grounds.
For more information about the Pumpkin Festival, call the institute at 717-762-0373 or the museum at 717-762-4723. Details also available at www.renfrewinstitute.org, www.renfrewmuseum.org, and on Facebook at www.facebook/renfrewpark.