28th Annual PUmpkinFest!

The Town of Franklin presents the 28th Annual PumpkinFest
Featuring the World Famous Pumpkin Roll
Saturday, October 19, 2024

Get ready to let the good times roll!

Franklin, North Carolina's 28th Annual PumpkinFest will roll into action on Saturday, October 19, 2024! People of all ages are sure to enjoy Franklin's largest street festival and celebration of autumn. Children and adults alike will have a blast taking part in traditional and some very non-traditional fall festivities including the "World Famous Pumpkin Roll" contest.

The Costume Parade and Contest is another highlight of the day. And don't miss out on over 90 vendors including mountain arts & crafts along with great food and more! PumpkinFest runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and is held rain or shine in Franklin, NC.

2024 Vendor Applications Closed

PLEASE NOTE: We are experiencing email server technical issues. Please use this new address to contact the Town of Franklin concerning PumpkinFest. We do apologize for any inconvenience.

New Email Address: pumpkinfest@townoffranklinnc.com

Applications for the 28th Annual PumpkinFest are closed. If you would like to be placed on our waiting list, please email us at pumpkinfest@townoffranklinnc.com.

For assistance or additional information, contact the Town of Franklin at 828-524-2516, ext. 307.

2023 PumpkinFest Co Sponsors

Angel Medical Center Beasley Flooring
Sanctuary Village Franklin NC
REMAX Elite Realty Franklin NC Sponsor  

2024 PumpkinFest Arts & Crafts Vendors

All About You Resin All Paws
Appalachian Growers Aussome Design
Barnyard Studio Bits & Baubles
Bustin' Axx Clay Craft Studio
Country Illustrations The Country Life
Cozy by Shannon Crafty Moose Shop
Creature Comforts Cunningham Knives
Dalton's Fancy Danielle's Custom Creations
Demy's Designs Face Painting by Kristina
First United Methodist Foxcraft Quilting
Gamebird Bakery Gnarly Furniture
Grams Hope Chest Grumpy's Workshop
Homemade in Haywood Hook Yarn & Tinker
Hooked on Franny Hope-filled Candles
Marie Hribar Jay's Bowls
KB Designs / AB Upholstery Kaysea Crowe
Keowee Customs LK Live Edge Design
Macon Faces (Mary Bennett) Made in Habersham
Maggie Maes Quilts & Crafts Magickal Garden
Mama Bear Knits & Knots Mason's Woodturning
Massey Made Mastered Peace
McGaha Keto Kupper Moses Grove Apiary
Mountain Girl Designs Mountain Soap Box
NC Mountains Outdoor Furniture Nana's Knittery
Noelke Metal Arts Olive Your More
Quarter Acre Homestead WNC Rebecca's Gift Garden
Rebekah Joy Studio Red Rock Wood Works
Resin Cellar Ridgewood Designs
River Birch Bees Shade Tree Farms
Sister Eddie's Smoky Mtn. Chic
Smoky Mtn. Sweet Treats Smoky Mtn. Treasures
Smoky Sew Co. Sugar Mama's Bake & Candy Shop
Sunflower Road / Gambo Studios Tabby's Wooden Toys
Treasures of the Sea WNC Colorful Creations
Whimsicals by Jen Wrapped in the Mountains
Yarnie's Another Place in TIme
Randy's Funky Punk Art  

 

NON-PROFIT

 

FESTIVAL FOOD

80's Flashback Weekend Ben's Backdraft BBQ
Christian Motorcyclist Association Cheesecake Mousse
Cub Scout Pack 263 Chick-fil-A
First Presbyterian Men's Group Ironwok
Franklin Garden Club Kona Ice
Franklin Lions Club Mountain Mini Doughnuts
Jackson County Christmas Tree Growers Queen Bee Boba Tea
Junaluskee Masonic Lodge Red's Lemonade Stand
Macon County Art Association Sweet Caroline's Ice Cream
Macon County Public Health Thai Spice
Macon County Senior Services  
Magnolia Mission  
Pawsitive Shelter Volunteers  
Promise Lane Church  
Smoky Mtn. Quilter's Guild  
SCC Macon Campus  

28th Annual PumpkinFest Schedule

9:00 a.m. - PumpkinFest Opens
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - More than 90 Arts & Crafts and Food Vendors. All sponsors and non-profits will have a FREE Kids Activity
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Kids Zone with Inflatables, Pony Rides and more! Lower Level Parking Lot at Franklin Town Hall
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Axe Throwing (there is a charge for this activity) Located on West Main Street near Motor Company Grill
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Pumpkin Roll Signup - Phillips Street
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Roving Characters (keep scrolling for more information)
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Balloon Twister (FREE) Lower Level Parking Lot at Franklin Town Hall
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - "World Famous Pumpkin Roll!"
1:00 p.m. - Costume Contest Lineup (Franklin Town Hall) Free to enter see details when you scroll below
1:15 p.m. - Costume Parade & Contest (Walking from Town Hall to Gazebo)
4:00 p.m. - PumpkinFest Closes

2024 Pumpkin Fest Map

pumpkin roll pumpkinfest franklin north carolina

World Famous Pumpkin Roll - Registration begins at 10:00am

SPONSORED BY: CRABTREE GENERAL STORE
T
he Main Attraction of PumpkinFest !

In case you're wondering, it is not something to eat (we get that question a lot), although those will be available from food vendors, it is literally seeing who can roll a pumpkin the greatest distance down Phillips Street and vying for bragging rights and the $100 grand prize.

Sign up for the Pumpkin Roll is from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the actual “roll” from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A limited supply of pumpkins will be available for purchase at the Pumpkin Roll Sign-Up Area for $5.00 each.

- Entry Fee is $1 person.

- You may bring your own pumpkin. We will also have a limited supply for purchase at the sign-up area for $5.00 each.

- Pumpkins must be in their natural state and may not be modified to enhance rolling or breaking.

pumpkinfest attractions franklin north carolina

Are Your Spidey Senses Tingling?

Your young ones are sure to enjoy our special attractions in 2024! Everyone's favorite Blue Dog will be there as well as one of their favorite super heroes and more! (keep scrolling for information)

Both will be available to greet young and old alike from 10:00am to 3:00pm during PumpkinFest! So keep your camera handy!

pumpkinfest fire breathing dragon franklin north carolina

A Favorite is Coming back!

Back by popular demand is our Knight on his Fire Breathing Dragon!

They will be roaming the streets of the festival from 10:00am to 3:00pm, so be on the lookout! This is just one of many great photo opportunities you'll discover throughout the day.

 

pumpkinfest balloon twister franklin north carolina

FREE Balloon Twister!

Another favorite will be back this year creating all kids of FREE balloon characters for the young ones.

Available from 10:00am to 3:00pm in the lower level parking lot of Franklin Town Hall on the east end of Main Street.

pumpkinfest franklin north carolina

Kids Zones

From 9:00am to 4:00pm young ones attending PumpkinFest can enjoy two FREE Kid's Zones. These areas of inflable attractions are free of charge.

In addition to free inflatables, free pony rides, and much more will be featured, all geared toward your little ones!

Our Kids Zones are located at either end of Main Street, near Motor Company Grill and the lower level parking area of Franklin Town Hall at 95 East Main Street.

pumpkinfest franklin north carolina free pony rides

FREE! Pony Rides

From 9:00am to 4:00pm "Little Rascals Ponies" will provide FREE pony rides for young ones. They truly are little and decked out in attire to celebrate the autumn season.

In addition, kids can also check out their petting zoo featuring ducks, goats, bunnies, chickens and more. While the pony rides are FREE, there is small admission fee to the petting zoo.

 

costume contest pumpkinfest franklin nc

Costume Contest & Parade 1:00pm

An annual tradition of PumpkinFest is the Costume Parade & Contest. Participants gather at Town Hall at 1:00pm and march up Main Street at 1:15pm to the Gazebo on the Square for the Contest.

Entrants are accepted in the following age groups .... 0 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, 7 to 10, 11 to 14, 15 & up! Trophies are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place in each age group. There is no entry fee or registration required.

arts crafts pumpkinfest franklin nc

OVer 90 Arts & Crafts and Food Vendors

PumpkinFest features dozens upon dozens of great arts & crafts including fine art, woodworking, pottery, and jewelry to name a few. You can also get a taste of great festival food, enjoy free kids activities and so much more!

pumpkin roll winner pumpkinfest franklin north carolina

2023 PUmpkin Roll Winner

The Town of Franklin, NC congratulates 3 year old Clara Crone the 2023 Winner of the World Famous Pumpkin Roll! Clara's pumpkin rolled 942 feet! She and her family reside in Franklin. Last year's winner was from Atlanta (887 feet) and the year before from Oklahoma!

Over 600 people participated in the Pumpkin Roll during the 27th Annual PumpkinFest in downtown Franklin, North Carolina!

wnc magazine best bet pumpkinfest franklin nc

2018 WNC Magazine Best Bet!

PumpkinFest in Franklin, NC is honored to be featured in the September/October 2018 issue of WNC Magazine as a best bet. Click here to see the article. WNC magazine is a bimonthly publication that captures the grandeur of the North Carolina mountains and the lifestyle of its residents through stunning photography and captivating storytelling. Every issue is a celebration of the people, culture, arts, crafts, architecture, history, and foodways of Western North Carolina.

our state magazine pumpkinfest franklin nc

AS Featured in Our State Magazine!

PumpkinFest in Franklin, NC is honored to be featured in the 2017 Autumn Issue of Our State Magazine (click here to read more!). Each month,  Our State  magazine celebrates the very best of North Carolina from the mountains to the coast through lively storytelling and stunning photography. Our State reflects the beauty, nature, nostalgia, travel, and food of the state. It’s the perfect source of information for those who’ve lived in North Carolina all their lives, those just becoming acquainted with the state, or those looking to visit or relocate. Published by Mann Media, Inc., the award-winning magazine reaches more than 1,100,030 readers each month, with subscribers in every state and nearly 30 foreign countries. Learn more at  ourstate.com.