Contests, run, pet show at Streamwood's Pumpkinfest

Have you ever competed in a pumpkin-pie-eating contest? Or have you ever played pumpkin bowling or jack splat? If the answer is no, but you're intrigued, then the annual Streamwood Park District's Pumpkinfest, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Hoosier Grove Park, 700 W. Irving Park Road, might be for you.

"It (the fest) brings children and families from all over the area," said Mary Ohzourk, communication and marketing supervisor for the Streamwood Park District. "That's one of the great things about Pumpkinfest."

In addition to pumpkin decorating and the pumpkin derby, highlights of this year's fest include hay rides, games, a pet show, a petting zoo, a moonwalk, food and more. Pumpkins, hay bales and corn will be for sale throughout the month at Hoosier Grove Park.

"People come to the fest just to take pictures in the pumpkin patch," Ohzourk said. "It's amazing how many smiles it brings to people of all ages."

One of the events the kids really look forward to is the Kiddie Run, Ohzourk said.

"They have so much fun with it," she said. "The kids love putting the number on their chests and competing just like the adults do. They get so excited."

Registration and check-in for the fun run begins at 10:30 a.m. near the gazebo. Awards for the Kiddie Run will be announced at noon at the courtyard stage.

Another event that draws a crowd is the family pet show, which benefits 4PAWS. People can bring their dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits and guinea pigs to compete in all types of categories, including longest tail, longest ears, best costume and more, Ohzourk said. Registration for the show takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with judging at 12:30 p.m. at the gazebo.

"People bring their pets dressed up in Halloween costumes," Ohzourk said. "It's just hilarious."

The fest also includes old-fashioned activities like a cake walk, a spelling bee for grades 1-8 hosted by the Historical Society, pie-eating contests, tractor wagon rides west of the ballfield and kiddie tractor rides at Safety Town.

Kids and adults always enjoy the pie-eating contests, Ohzourk said. "They always think it will be easy to eat a pie with all the whipped cream on it," but it's not.

"We also have a cakewalk where you walk on the numbers and get to win a cake or homemade cookies baked by members of the Historical Society," she said. "It's a fun event for the children."

At 2 p.m. there will be a special presentation at the Hoosier Grove Museum to commemorate the installation of the Country Schoolhouse Association of America historical marker, which the historic schoolhouse was awarded earlier in the summer.

"We decided that since there would already be a big crowd for Pumpkinfest, that this would be a great opportunity to dedicate the award to the museum, where it will be unveiled for the first time," said Debbie Karner, superintendent of recreation for the Streamwood Park District.

Also, the Poplar Creek Library will present pumpkin storytimes at 12:45 and 3 p.m. Saturday. Jason Kollum will entertain visitors with a juggling show at 1:15 p.m. at the courtyard stage and show off his stiltwalking skills at 2:30 p.m. throughout the grounds. At 3:30 p.m. kids will have the chance to rummage through a hay pile for treats during the penny in a haystack event in the courtyard.

While festival admission is free, some events charge a fee.

For more details, call (630) 372-7275 or see streamwoodparkdistrict.org.

If you goWhat: Streamwood Park District's PumpkinfestWhen: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2Where: Hoosier Grove Park, 700 W. Irving Park Road, StreamwoodCost: Free admission; charge for some activitiesInfo: (630) 372-7275 or streamwoodparkdistrict.orgStreamwood Pumpkinfest scheduleAll events take place on Saturday, Oct. 210:30 a.m. to noon: Kiddie Run: Check-in/registration begins at 10:30 a.m. by the gazebo 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Family Pet Show presented by 4PAWS at the gazebo. $1 donation entry fee per category. Registration from 10:30 a.m. to noon, judging begins at 12:30 p.m.11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Pumpkin decorating at the horse barn (free, but pumpkins must be purchased at the pumpkin stand) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Food and beverages available for purchase at the courtyard; activity ticket sales by the gazebo; Hoosier Grove Museum open house (free); woodcarving demonstration presented by the North Suburban Carvers Guild at the courtyard (free); moonwalk by the playground (1-$1 ticket); hair braids in the courtyard ($10/$7) Noon: Kiddie Run winners announced at the courtyard stage Noon to 4 p.m.: Petting zoo south of the ballfield (1-$1 ticket); pumpkin bowling south of the ballfield (1-$1 ticket); jack splat south of the ballfield (1-$1 ticket); pumpkin derby at the ballfield (1-$1 ticket); tractor wagon rides west of the ballfield (1-$1 ticket); kiddie tractor rides at Safety Town (1-$1 ticket) 12:15 p.m.: Pumpkin-pie-eating contest at the courtyard (free) 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.: Cake walk at the barn, where tickets can be purchased 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m.: Storytime presented by Poplar Creek Library in the courtyard (free) 1:15 to 2 p.m.: Juggler Jason Kollum at the courtyard stage (free) 2 to 2:30 p.m.: Country Schoolhouse Association of America award dedication at the museum (free) 2:30 p.m.: Schoolhouse Spelling Bee at the museum (free) 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Jason Kollum performing as a stiltwalker throughout the grounds (free) 3:30 p.m.: Penny in the haystack in the courtyard (free)True20001361Children rummage through a hay pile in search of money and candy during a previous year's Streamwood Pumpkinfest. This year's fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2.Daily Herald file photoTrue