It’s show time: Pumpkin, that is!
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The forecast looks great for the 117th Versailles Pumpkin Show next week! The Show will run from Wednesday, September 25 through Sunday, September 29 on the square in Versailles. The town square will be alive with an assortment of rides, activities, stage entertainment, people, great food and lots of pumpkins.
Ride tickets are available now! Get your discounted ride tickets before Friday morning, September 27. They are only $20 for 22 tickets (most rides take more than one ticket unless it’s Wednesday or Sunday). Those are one ticket ride days. You can purchase tickets from South Ripley, Jac-Cen-Del and Milan schools, Versailles IGA, Ripley Publishing Co., The Friendship State Bank, First Financial and Civista Bank in Versailles.
One thing that is different from previous years is the date people can bring in home art exhibits to the Versailles Lions Club Building on the square. They should be brought in on Wednesday morning instead of Thursday morning.
A new event on parade day, which is Saturday, September 28, is the addition of Hoosier Hills Quilts of Valor. This group will present quilts to veterans just before the parade on the square. from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Come early and support our local heroes.
Something new this year will be the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit, which will be set up at the Versailles Town Hall Building during the Versailles Pumpkin Show. Times will be Wednesday through Friday from 6-9 p.m. and then on Saturday from noon until 8 p.m. This exhibit will highlight the consolidation of South Ripley Schools. You’re invited to come and explore the past, from one room school houses in four townships to today’s one consolidated school system.
The Crossroads event is presented by Ripley County Tourism and Main Street Versailles. It is made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday night
Starting on Wednesday night, the skyline in Versailles will be lit with rides and you will hear the sounds of children shrieking as they whiz through the air. Once again Luehrs’ Entertainment will bring the rides and some festival entertainment. Wednesday night the rides will open at 5:00 p.m. All rides will be only one ticket that night, as well as Sunday. The official ceremony to kick off the 2019 Versailles Pumpkin Show will take place at the stage area where the Young Confederates will perform. The King and Queen will be named and will preside over the festival. See names of contestants in the special section inside today’s paper. Tyler Brindley will be onstage entertainment from 8:30 until 9:45 p.m.
Thursday night
At 5:00 on Thursday night, the Show will open with more royalty named – the prince and princess at 7:00 p.m. sponsored by Ripley Publishing Co. This show is always one people look forward to because you never know what the contestants will say when they are interviewed. They are first graders who have been picked by their schools. See names of contestants in the special section inside today’s paper. The stage entertainment continues with the popular Pie Eating Contest, with students from area schools participating. Naming the winners of the Ripley Publishing Co. Baking Contest will also be on stage. This contest is held early in the day at the newspaper office. (See insert in today’s paper). Someone will win $200! Others will win cash prizes for their delicious pumpkin goodies, which will be sold at a bake sale beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the newspaper office. This is also Buddy Night for rides, so you and your buddy can ride for the price of one. The stage entertainment will continue with Casey Chapman from 8:00 until 9:45 p.m.
Friday night
Friday night has been a night of tradition for area folks who have moved away to come back and visit with classmates, friends, and family. The Pumpkin Show reminds them of earlier years and is a good time to enjoy some great stage entertainment from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. by Hippie Fingers and then Jericho Woods from 8:00 p.m. until 9:45 p.m. The rides and food stands will be open at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
Besides the parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m., Saturday is a day full of activity and excitement. Parade entries are varied and prizes are given in different categories. Directly following the parade the giant pumpkins are weighed in front of the crowd where awards will be presented. There is a Lions Kids Zone where children can paint pumpkins, enjoy frame making and so much more. Then the Gold Star Chili Coney Dog Eating Contest will be held from 12:45 until 1:00 p.m. This is open to anyone who thinks they can eat a lot of these delicious coney dogs in a short period of time! The day continues with the Young Confederates from South Ripley High School performing, along with Dooley & Bryd, and the popular vocal contest. Rick K and the Allnighters will wrap up the evening from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. with stage entertainment.
Sunday
A community church service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the stage area followed by Divinity Trio music at 1:30 p.m. The carnival rides will be open from 1-5 p.m. with each ride only taking one ticket.
From Wednesday through Sunday come out and enjoy a great time and help the Versailles Lions Club with their biggest fundraiser of the year – the longest running festival in Indiana, the Versailles Pumpkin Show.
