Passion for Pumpkins

Every October, when the mountains are awash in brilliant reds and oranges, Elkin, NC, hosts the Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival, which brings an estimated 20,000 people to the area. Historic downtown Main Street transforms into a pumpkin patch overflowing with visitors and locals enjoying everything from shopping for holiday decorations and tulip bulbs to sampling local vendors' funnel cakes and pumpkin pie (of course).

Hosted by the Elkin Jonesville Chamber of Commerce, the festival offers several pumpkin-themed raffles, games and contests. The Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, The Great Pumpkin Auction and the Antique Car Show are among the favorite events returning to the festival this year, as well a new addition, The Somethin’ Pumpkin Bake Off. The festival also features more than 100 vendors, live performances by local musicians and dancers, a rock-climbing wall, a quilt raffle and enough pumpkin products to paint the town orange.

Crissy Branch, the Member Services/Special Events Coordinator for the Chamber, emphasizes the importance of these events and live entertainment from such diverse acts as Wurdeman’s Academy of Dance, Tripp Rogers Acoustic Guitar and Boothill Cloggers, to name but a few. “It’s a great time for the people of Elkin to come out and enjoy themselves,” she says.

But the Pumpkin Festival isn’t just for those in the Elkin/Jonesville region alone. Branch says that area hotels host many guests who come to town just to be a part of the area's annual pumpkin craze.

The 8th annual Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival will again be held in October in downtown Elkin. For dates and times, contact the Elkin/Jonesville Chamber of Commerce at (336) 526-1111 or visit them at 116 East Market Street, Elkin, NC 28621.

by By Beth Hardy