Wanda English Burnett
Editor

It’s an exciting time that people anticipate each year as the leaves hint they are changing and the weather turns just a little cooler, the pumpkins are ready, and people know it’s Pumpkin Show time This year it runs from September 26 through September 30.

The Pumpkin Show continues to have stage entertainment that is enjoyed by the young and old alike, rides the children will scream as enjoy, food that can only be purchased once a year, royalty named from area schools, and the Saturday parade that always pleases the children as they gather candy and their parents see friends and relatives they haven’t seen in awhile. Children and adults alike are always happy to see Ronald McDonald in the parade. This is getting exceedingly harder to make happen as there are only four Ronald McDonalds’ nationally now and they make rare appearances, such as the Macy’s Day Parade, Indianapolis 500, etc. The good news came just two weeks before Pumpkin Show time that he will be right here in Versailles on Saturday!

The Versailles Lions Club works from year to year behind the scenes to make sure things run as smoothly as possible. The members have a lot of work to do for five days of good family entertainment.

The event will officially open Wednesday, September 26 at 5:00 p.m. where those participating in the rides get a good deal. They can ride any ride for just one ticket. This will also be the case on Sunday afternoon. The opening ceremonies will be at 6:00 p.m. that includes the National Anthem and an opening prayer. Then the unveiling of an art project commemorating the Versailles Bicentennial will be held. Local people and those from far away have worked together with artist Andrea Grinsley to paint a mural that will they plan to attach to the east side of the Versailles Lions Club building (the old Spencer-Tyson building). Excitement builds as the 2018 Pumpkin Show King and Queen are crowned, along with their court. This will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Ladies and Gentlemen – Start your ovens!

The 30th Annual Pumpkin Show Baking Contest, sponsored by Ripley Publishing Co., will be held Thursday morning at the newspaper office on 115 S. Washington Street. Here’s the criteria: your recipe must contain pumpkin! For the past 29 years, bakers from across the county and beyond have tried and won prizes for baking pumpkin pies, pumpkin bars, pumpkin cakes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin soup. Well, you get the idea. Anything pumpkin goes. Just bring your pumpkin items into the newspaper office beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 27 and they will be registered under the right category by office staff. The judges will not know who brought in the items as they are numerically coded. Then the fun begins. The judges taste, and taste again until they declare winners in each category. Then they pick the over all winner. It’s a lot of fun and anyone can participate. Cash is given in each category for first, second and third place. Also, first place winners will receive an apron.

Those items are then sold at a bake sale that same day with proceeds going to a scholarship fund for a journalism student.

Known as “buddy” night, Thursday, September 27 will begin with the rides opening at 5:00 p.m. This discount lets a buddy ride with you for free. The 56th Annual Princess Contest and the 32nd Annual Prince Contest, sponsored by Ripley Publishing Co., will take center stage at 7:00 p.m. That is directly followed by the announcement of winners of the 30th Annual Pumpkin Show Baking Contest. The Best of Show Award will win $200 and a plaque, along with the rights to hold the title until the next year rolls around. That is followed by a Pumpkin Pie Eating contest, which features senior students from area schools.

Friday night is locally known as “meet your friends night” as people come from distances to renew friendships forged over the years.

The large parade on Saturday features huge pumpkins. But, there is much more. The parade, always a crowd pleaser, features floats of all sorts with prizes given for the Best Overall, Youth Organization, Organization, Religious Organization, Agri-Business and Business floats. The big pumpkins are weighed right in front of the main stage with excitement as the growers and those weighing making sure everything goes just right.

Saturday is an all day affair with lots for the children to do at the Lions’ Fun Zone; 7th Annual Gold Star Chili Cheese Coney Eating Contest; Vocal Show and more.

Sunday a community church service will take place at 11:30 with one-ticket rides opening from 1-5 p.m. Ron Bridgewater and Band, will perform gospel music from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on the main stage.

There will be live music throughout the week featuring D.J. Adkins, Tyler Brindley, The Yorkridge Boys, Dustin Huff, Terra Bella – a country group, Three Sails at Sea, a gospel group, Hippie Fingers, and Dr. Rock and the Rollers. From 50s and 60s music to a little rock n roll and gospel, there is surely something to please the crowd.

Exhibits range from flowers to home arts and crafts to home baked and canned goods.

The 2018 Versailles Pumpkin Show Art Show, sponsored by the Versailles Lions Club and Versailles-Osgood chapter of Tri Kappa is looked forward to each year.

The Versailles Pumpkin Show is the largest fundraiser for the Lions Club, who in turn, gives all the money back to the community. Everyone benefits from an enjoyable festival. So come on out and enjoy the rides, or if that’s not your deal – there is truly something for everyone at the festival, one of the oldest running in the state.

Editor’s note: Watch for a full detailed insert in this Thursdays’ Versailles Republican about the Versailles Pumpkin Show which will include days, times, etc.