WAYNESBORO, Pa. — Buttonwood Nature Center presents its sixth annual Pumpkins and Pippins fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 17, from noon to 4 p.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area, Waynesboro.
A fundraiser for Buttonwood, the festival includes a full slate of activities and fun for all ages, including a “kid zone” with yard games, a StoryWalk® hike & activity, a photo stand and more.
Pony rides for kids from Serendipity Horse Meadows Farm provide a fun, memorable experience during the festival.
The GRID (Grease, Rust, Iron & Dirt) Tractor Club from Quincy will bring antique tractors, and craft vendors offer a variety of wares.
“We also have a pie walk, a pumpkin patch and a decorated pumpkin contest,” said Jessica Watson, Buttonwood’s assistant director and event organizer. “And new this year is a yard sale—a perfect way to recycle goods. Bring cash and shop for treasures,” Watson said.
“We invite everyone to support Buttonwood by bringing your family to a fall celebration of Pumpkins & Pippins.”
A star attraction is the ever-popular trebuchet pumpkin launcher, which will run throughout the day sending pumpkins flying through the sky. Trebuchets are giant catapult devices that originated in medieval times.
“Our trebuchet was built by volunteers who researched the devices thoroughly to create an authentic working model,” Watson said. “Our trebuchet hurls pumpkins, and it’s great fun to watch how far they fly.”
For the decorated pumpkin contest, pumpkins may be painted or carved—or both. Contest entry is free. Votes from those in attendance determine the winner, who receives a $100 prize. The runner up prize is $50, and third place gets $25.
Live music is a festival mainstay, and this year we are featuring the Bluetrain Bluegrass band. This versatile band’s song selection consists of mostly traditional bluegrass mixed with country, and some pop tunes as well, and danceable bluegrass/Irish instrumentals are a specialty. Bluetrain has performed at numerous venues in the Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia areas.
Those attending can buy lunch from Maddie Ann’s Kitchen or Chedda Mac’s food trucks. A bake sale offers a variety of homemade goodies for dessert.
Pumpkins, apples and cider will be available for purchase.
Vendors to date include Burn One Down, Ceramic Arts Center of Waynesboro, The Cosmic Rhythm, The Crafted Glade (bead work), Crowned Crane Ceramics, and Slate Painting by Janet Young.
Admission is by donation, with cash or check accepted.
Underwriting support for this event by sponsors The Hershey Group at RBC Wealth Management (pony rides); Debbie & Bill Pflager (trebuchet); Tom Beck (event program); The Manitowoc Company (decorated pumpkin contest); Owls Club of Waynesboro (apples and cider); Dave Shockey (kid zone); Renewal by Anderson (yard sale); Linda Barkdoll/Ronnie Martin Realty (raffle); Rouzerville Business Association (craft table); Specialty Granules (bake sale); Denny and Kim Shockey (pavilion rental support).
In-kind sponsors include Gem Farms (straw bales), Harlan Hess (pumpkins), and Wayne Martz (corn).
Additional support by Buttonwood’s Today’s Horizon Fund contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; Mary Marshall Buckey in memory of her parents, the late George and Marty Buckey; the late Marge Kiersz; Don Gibe and Nancy Erlanson; and the family of the late Carolyn Terry Eddy, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin. Facility support courtesy of Washington Township.
For more information or to enter a pumpkin in the decorated pumpkin contest, readers may call 717-762-0373, email [email protected] or visit www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org.
