Pumpkinfest draws crowds

By MEGAN HUGHES

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Bessemer - Bessemer celebrated the 43rd year of Pumpkinfest this past week, with members of the community and across the region coming out to celebrate the start of the fall season with games, live music, a craft fair and food.

While events ranged from Thursday through Sunday, a majority of them were held on Saturday, as much of the downtown was decorated for the festivities as crowds gathered.

With events such as the pumpkin decorating contest, scarecrow and totem pole contests, carnival, parade and costume contest, as well as many others encouraging everyone to get out and have fun as fall settles in, festival organizers seemed pleased with the turn out.

"We are glad that it didn't rain as much as it could have," said Donna Frello, lead organizer for this year's celebration. "We didn't need to cancel any events, but we did move some indoors."

Frello explained that returning this year was the scarecrow and totem pole contest, which was not part of last year's festival. The art pieces were dropped off early on Saturday morning at Bessemer's heritage park on East Mary Street.

She said of all the events going on, that she was unable to pick a favorite.

The carnival rides were free for the community, which Frello attributed to generous donations from the community and area businesses. "We have had it going on for nine years now."

One of the big draws to Pumpkinfest was the craft fair at the A.D. Johnston High School, where vendors set up to sell handmade items for the fall and winter seasons. The Bessemer junior class held a bake sale at the craft fair, raising money for this year's prom.

"It is going very well so far," said student Bella Gaiser.

This year's winning Pumpkinfest 50/50 number was 11749, with the grand prize being $5,601. As of deadline, no winner had been announced.

"The winning numbers will be posted on our facebook and at the Bessemer VFW sign," Trello said.