Gourd-geous Day at the Battersea Pumpkin Fest!

Kelli McRobert | Oct 05, 2022

Fall this year signified the end of a very long hot summer. Evenings are dropping off to just above zero and gardeners are planning how to over winter their precious potted plants. The children are back to school and are easing into the familiar routines of getting up early and heading off to buses and classroom decorum. Weekends have returned to a coveted time where you can catch up on household chores or spend quality time with the family at a few local events. This weekend was one such event and is a local favourite as the town of Battersea comes alive with pumpkin filled dreams.

This year marked the 28th annual festival and it was a huge success!

The shuttle was very quick and you could leave your car parked at the Storrington Public School and get a lift from Robert Hogan Bus Lines. As you entered the main field you were drawn into a communal energy as vendors, activities, and displays circled the field, each one offering up a new challenge or item for sale. The weather was intermittently overcast but a welcomed reprieve from the blistering hot days of August and the crowds were out in full force. There was so much to see and do that families could take a few hours and roam about the ‘safe space’ that was family and pet friendly. The entire village had a little something to offer this well attended annual event.

For those that planned out their adventure first, they could grab a slice of fresh baked pie ($3) from the Battersea United Church and a drink ($1) to sustain them during their travels. And if they did get enough pie, they could opt into the Pie Eating Contest. This ‘hands free’ competition was for all ages and was very popular as ‘home plate’ became a frenzy of filling covered faces that gobbled and snorted to the delight of the audience. 30 pies were devoured in stellar form in three age categories with contestants being selected through a ‘raffle’ process. The winner received a free Creekside Bar and Grill Pizza that even came with utensils -what a concept! The pies were donated by yummy Mrs. Garrett’s Bake Shop-well known amongst locals.

During the festival, music was provided by King of the Swingers, who roamed merrily amongst the crowds, and Annie Clifford and friends also shared their rhythmic tunes. The steam locomotive was a big hit with the kids and could be found chugging it’s way, with delighted riders, into the enchanted forest, as members of the Frontenac Society of Model Engineers guided the engine and shared interesting facts. The morning parade started the day off with kidlets all dressed up and enthusiastically strolling down main street heading towards the ball diamond and the free pumpkin carving stand where you could take home your finished product. Also, a huge hit was the cookie making stand where hundreds of cookies were ready to be adorned with your own imagination, a tasty treat to take home for later consumption.

For those that managed to find their way out of the 5-acre Corn Maze, that Danny Page meticulously crafted, the Festival Market was jam packed with vendors and buyers who shared stories and peddled their wares like preserves, wood carvings, and yummy honey or maple syrup. From craft tables to the largest gourd, no-petting zoo, house decorating contest, fresh food, and family games the day was jam-packed, no pun intended, for everyone to enjoy. For $5.00, it was 6-hours of celebration for the upcoming fall harvest and all it has to offer for Battersea and it’s local communities. This “affordable family fun” event is one not to be missed as the BPF Committee begins their plans for next year’s festival.

Thank you to all the volunteers and South Frontenac who helped make this event such a success.

For more information or to volunteer here is the link: www.batterseapumpkinfestival.com