HARTSBURG — The Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival was back this weekend, bringing family fun, food, games and, of course, pumpkins to mid-Missourians.
The town of just under 200 is put under the spotlight for one weekend a year, and it welcomed thousands of visitors for the festival.
“It’s been a great experience this year,” attendee Kiandre Robinson said.” There’s lots of vendors this year with incredible merchandise.”
Tents lined the street, selling everything from clothes, jewelry, bags and souvenirs. Kids enjoyed bouncy houses and playgrounds, while games fit for all ages included axe throwing and high strikers.
Attendees could also purchase and bring home some pumpkins as well.
“We try to get out to [the festival] every year,” Robinson said. “A lot of times with the rain and the mud, it’d keep us at bay. But it was great weather this year, so we figured we’d come out.”
The food and drink tents at the festival draw large crowds, with some saying it’s the primary reason they pay the festival a visit.
“It’s the food for sure,” Robinson said. “Italian sausage, tornado potatoes, lemonade — I mean they really have everything you could think of.”
Often called “Missouri’s Pumpkin Patch,” Hartsburg has hosted these festivals for the past 34 years.
The festival started Oct. 11. and concluded Oct. 12.