In addition to providing family-friendly entertainment to area residents on the week of Halloween, event organizers said the overall goal is bring people to downtown Milton.
“(We are) brining more life to downtown Milton and bringing the community together,” said Deb Pruitt, owner of Boomerang Pizza Kitchen, located on Willing Street.
Pruitt is one of three downtown business operators spearheading the event, including Very Berry co-owner Don Norris and Cindy Coulter of Camelot Junction.
“It’s about putting people on the street in downtown Milton,” Norris said. “It is just dead at night, there is just nothing happening and we want to change that.”
The event organizers hope Pumpkin Fest will be the first of many to do so. While several activities are still in the works for the free community event, Pumpkin Fest already offers a variety of Halloween-themed activities.
- Children and pet costume contests
- Chili Cook-off
- Pumpkin carving contest
- Guess the weight of a large pumpkin
- Outside family movie – attendees are encouraged to provide their own chair or blanket
- Trick or Treating
- Live music
Pumpkin Fest will also include participation from several local organizations, including Locklin Tech students in the culinary program who will be selling baked goods.
The event organizers are looking for additional businesses to join in the occasion as well as other local organizations wanting to participate in the trick or treat. Norris said event’s like Pumpkin Fest and others which take place downtown help market the area for potential growth.
“We want more and more events in downtown Milton,” he said. “With what we have been doing with our small events, it will come alive if you get these people on the streets.”
Attendees interested in registering for any of the competitions, like the chili cook-off or the pumpkin contest are encouraged to visit the event’s Facebook page at on.fb.me/1k8C389.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: PUMPKIN FEST
WHEN: From 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 30
WHERE: North side of Willing Street in downtown Milton
COST: Free to attend
INFO: For more information on Pumpkin Fest visit their Facebook page at on.fb.me/1k8C389
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Organizers want 'Pumpkin Fest' to highlight downtown Milton