Students searching for fall fun can look no further than 21 miles east of campus, as the 32nd annual West Virginia Pumpkin Festival will take place at 1 Pumpkin Way in Milton, from Oct. 4 through 7.  This harvest festival aims to promote agriculture, education, cultural and heritage activities in a family friendly environment.

The festival features 180 arts and craft exhibits and 200 business booths on 86 acres of land.  Mark Cooper, president of the WVPF, said many local bands that preform at the V Club will be preforming, and Ona, Dangerous Cookies, The Dividends and Ducain are four local bands set to perform throughout the weekend. 

West Virginia craft and soap vendors will be selling their products.  New attractions this year include a lumberjack log rolling exhibit, a blacksmith and an updated living history encampment.

Cooper said 33 food vendors will be available to satisfy any hunger a guest may have, including local vendors such as The Huntington Optimist Club, who have been selling their corndogs at this event for 30 years, and The Fly In Cafe. New to the food scene this year is a vendor featuring a portable food fire oven, Cooper said.

Cooper said 40,000 people attended the festival last year. He said he expects a similar turn out this year and suggests arriving early. 

To combat the long lines, the festival staff upgraded their internet capabilities to better handle the flow of guests paying with credit or debit cards, Cooper said. Tickets can be purchased before the event online at the WVPF website.

The cost of admission varies by day. Oct. 4 and 5 rates are $5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., then increase to $8 per person from 12 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday rates are $10 per person. The festival hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 through 6, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 7.  Parking is free.

“I invite you to come up and visit,” Cooper said. “It’s better than sitting in a dorm room all weekend.”

Meg Keller can be contacted at [email protected].