Pumpkin Festival Kicks Off Wednesday!

The historic Sycamore Pumpkin Festival takes place this coming Wednesday through Sunday, October 21–25, 2015. Thousands of pumpkins, all painted or carved for judging, decorate the courthouse lawn, and food vendors dish up pumpkin pie, caramel apples and other fall favorites. The 2015 theme is ‘Pumpkins in Disguise.’

What started out as an idea by Wally Thurow in 1956 to offer something creative for the students of Sycamore, has grown from a neighborhood display on his front yard into the towns biggest city wide event beginning on Wednesday with the Opening Ceremony and cake cutting. The festival begins with over 1000 entries in the Lions Decorated Pumpkin Display, 2 carnivals, 2 large indoor craft shows, many non-profit vendors, and culminating with a two and a half hour long parade on Sunday, starting at 1:pm.

Also in this pumpkin patch: two arts-and-crafts shows, a historic house walk and a 10K Pumpkin Run road race. Register here for the 37th annual 10K Pumpkin Run! A full schedule of events follows below.   Visit the Pumpkin Festival website now.

This is the 2015 Schedule of Events (This schedule will be updated if any information changes for the 54th Pumpkin Festival events). 

Wednesday – October 21st

Pumpkin Check-in – Courthouse Lawn – 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Sycamore Lions

Opening / Giant Cake Cutting Ceremony (Cake donated by Hy-Vee) North Maple Street adjacent to the Courthouse – 5 p.m.

Haunted Physics Lab presented by NIU STEM Outreach – 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Midwest Museum of Natural History

Thursday – October 22nd

Lions’ Pumpkin Display – On the Courthouse Lawn

Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast – United Methodist Church – 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Pumpkin Celebration – 6 p.m. at the Library (wear your costume – games, story time and treats for K thru 5th grade)

Friday – October 23rd

Lions’ Pumpkin Display – On the Courthouse Lawn

Teen Carnival (Sacramento & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) – 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.  There are ride specials for $25 (check for times at carnival)

United Methodist Church Craft Show (food served) – 160 Johnson Ave. – 11a.m. to 5:30p.m.

Saturday October 24th

Lions’ Pumpkin Display – On the Courthouse Lawn

Rotary Pancake Breakfast – Federated Church, 612 W. State Street –  7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Autumn Craft & Treasures Market hosted by the Sycamore Music Boosters at the Sycamore High School – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

United Methodist Church Craft Show  – 160 Johnson Ave. – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lions Club Giant Pumpkin Weigh-in – Courthouse Lawn 10 a.m.

Pumpkin 4-person Golf Scramble – Sycamore Golf Course, 940 E. State Street – 9:30 a.m. (Registration begins Oct 1st – 815-895-3884)

Historic Homes Walk “The Grand Style”– 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Tickets – $25 per person, or $40 for 2 people. Tickets are available at the Sycamore History Museum, the Sycamore Chamber Office, Sweet Earth Jewelry, and at each home on the day of the walk.  Visit http://www.sycamorehistory.org/events-programs/ for more information.

Teen Carnival (Sacramento & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) – 12 p.m. to 10p.m. ($25 ride special, check carnival for times )

The DeKalb County Shrine Club – pork chop sandwiches in front of PJ’s Courthouse Tavern and Grill,  10 A.M. to 6 P.M.

Beef Burger Luncheon – Bethel Assembly of God Church  – 131 West Elm St. – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sycamore Rugby Club – Pork Shanks (across from the courthouse) –  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Marquee Saturday Event –  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the 100 block of Somonauk Street.  Sponsored by KishHealth System, Servicemaster Restoration by Skip,and NB&T

2:00 pm –  Andrew Noyzewski is a family-friendly magician who is always adding new ideas and props to his interactive show.  He brings Bubbles and Cocoa Puffs, the bunnies, for the children to pet and hold.  He will be doing walk-around magic after his stage performance until 4:00pm.

2:30 pm and 3:30 pm – Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team is a professional gymnastics troupe consisting of talented young men and boys from the Chicagoland area. They were Semifinalists in Season 8 of America’s Got Talent. Their performance includes amazing acrobatic stunts and tricks inside twirling jump ropes, catapulting off of mimi trampolines and thundering tumbling routines with impeccable timing.

3:00 pm – Michael Weiser is a juggler who trained at Second-City. His interactive show is fun, fast-moving, and inventive. He is a juggler, balance performer, comedian and uses European clowning and verbal play.  He will be doing walk-around juggling and balancing before and after his stage performance until 4:00pm.

Sycamore Angels Rebekah Lodge – Funnel Cakes, Cinnamon Apples, Soups in North Food Court 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kiwanis Pie Eating Contest – Courthouse Lawn 4 p.m.

Scary Stories in the Cemetery – Meet in the historic Elmwood Cemetery at the corner of Charles and Elmwood at 6p.m.  Bring your own chairs, blankets and flashlights.  (Recommended for middle school and older).  Please be respectful in the cemetery.  FREE

Pumpkin Festival Flags – available in front of Paulsons Appliance and at United Methodist Church

Kishwaukee Valley Barbershoppers – Elephant Ears in the South Food Court

Sycamore Elks – Funnel Cakes, Potato Ribbons, Sweet Corn across from the Courthouse 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Midwest Museum of Natural History – Creepy Crawly Halloween Party – 6 pm to 8 pm

Sunday October 25th

Lions’ Pumpkin Display – On the Courthouse Lawn

Autumn Craft & Treasures Market hosted by the Sycamore Music Boosters at the Sycamore High School – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sycamore Chamber 10,000 Meter Road Run –  9:05 a.m. start at the Armory  Pumpkin Festival Run Website

Teen Carnival (Sacramento & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($25 ride special, check carnival for times )

Stage Coach Players Costume Kids Contest – Ideal parking  lot (Borden and Park) at 12 p.m.  Win prizes and be in the parade.

Beef Burger Luncheon – Bethel Assembly of God Church  – 131 West Elm St. – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The DeKalb County Shrine Club – pork chop sandwiches  10 a.m to 4 p.m.

St. Mary’s Church Food Booth – Waterman & Somonauk St. – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

St. Peter’s Church Food Booth – 218 Somonauk St. – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pumpkin Festival Parade – Somonauk – Elm – California – State & Main Streets.  Parade kicks off at 1 p.m.  Click Here for Parade Page with Map