57th Annual Morton Pumpkin Festival: Farmin' Pumpkins

Each year, the Morton Chamber of Commerce selects a special theme for the Morton Pumpkin Festival. Festival themes are voted on by the general public while taking the annual Pumpkin Festival Survey in September. The top festival theme choices are then taken to the Pumpkin Festival Advisory Committee and the Morton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for the final selection. Themes are announced in February during the Morton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meet Up.

Many of the Pumpkin Festival events and activities including the Parades, Pageants, Entertainment, Competitions, and Opening Ceremonies incorporate costumes, music, and other elements in celebration of the annual theme.

Schedule of Events

September 3, 2023

8:00 am - Pumpkin Pickleball Tournament (Birchwood Park)

September 8, 2023

6:00pm - Pumpkin Tennis Open (Joal Stanfield Tennis Complex)

September 9, 2023

8:00am - Pumpkin Tennis Open (Joal Stanfield Tennis Complex)

8:00am - 11:00am - Fishing Derby (Kennel Lake)

10:30am - Pumpkin Pedal (Bike Ride Launch from Better Banks)

September 12, 2023

3:30pm - 6:00pm - Pumpkin Decorating Drop Off (Family Fun Patch)

4:00pm - 5:30pm - Pumpkin Weigh-Off (parking lot across from PNC Bank on Jefferson St.)

6:30pm - Big Wheel Race (on Washington St., between Main St. and Plum Ave.)

September 13, 2023

4:00pm - 8:00pm - Pumpkin Store Opens (Merchandise Tent)

4:00pm - 8:00pm - Family Fun Patch / Local Spotlight

4:00pm - Carnival Rides and Midway Open

4:30pm - 9:00pm - Pumpkin Grill Open

4:30pm - 9:30pm - Pumpkin Sweet Shop Open

5:00pm - Official Opening Ceremony (Entertainment Stage)

5:15pm - Entertainment (Entertainment Stage)

6:00pm - Pumpkin Princess Pageant (Entertainment Stage)

7:30pm - Gentle Gorilla (Entertainment Stage)

September 14, 2023

6:30am - 9:00am - Pumpkin Drive-Thru Open: Donuts Only (Former Sam Leman Lot, 161 Detroit Ave.)

1:30pm - 2:30pm - Senior Appreciation Afternoon with Pumpkin Bingo (Sweet Shop)

2:30pm - 3:30pm - Free Pie and Coffee for Seniors

3:00pm - 8:00pm - Pumpkin Store Open (Merchandise Tent)

4:00pm - Carnival Rides and Midway Open

4:00pm - 7:00pm - Pumpkin Drive-Thru Open (Former Sam Leman Lot, 161 Detroit Ave.)

4:00pm - 8:00pm - Family Fun Patch / Local Spotlight

4:15pm - Entertainment (Entertainment Stage)

4:30pm - 9:00pm - Pumpkin Grill Open

4:30pm - 9:30pm - Pumpkin Sweet Shop Open

6:00pm - 6:30pm - Kiddie Parade (Downtown Morton ) and Character Meet & Greet (Family Fun Patch, following the Kiddie Parade)

7:30pm - Still Shine (Entertainment Stage)

September 15, 2023

6:30am - 9:00am - Pumpkin Drive-Thru Open: Donuts Only (Former Sam Leman Lot, 161 Detroit Ave.)

11:00am - 7:00pm - Pumpkin Drive-Thru Open (Former Sam Leman Lot, 161 Detroit Ave.)

11:00am - 9:30pm - Pumpkin Grill Open

11:00am - 9:30pm - Pumpkin Sweet Shop Open

12:00pm - 8:00pm - Family Fun Patch / Local Spotlight

12:00pm - 9:00pm - Pumpkin Store Open (Merchandise Tent)

2:30pm - Carnival Rides and Midway Open

3:30pm - 7:00pm - Art & Craft Market Open (Birchwood Park, 349 W. Birchwood St.)

5:00pm - Entertainment (Entertainment Stage)

5:00pm - 7:00pm - Pumpkin Classic Packet Pick Up (Lincoln Elementary School)

6:00pm - Pumpkin Idol Jr. (Entertainment Stage)

7:30pm - Rockland Road (Entertainment Stage)

September 16, 2023

6:30am - 10:30am - Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast (Pumpkin Grill)

7:15am - 7:30am - Pumpkin Classic 10K/2Mile Run/Walk Begins

8:00am - 6:00pm - Art & Craft Market Open (Birchwood Park, 349 West Birchwood St.)

8:15am - 10:15am - Entertainment (Entertainment Stage)

10:30am - Pumpkin Festival Parade

11:00am - 7:00pm - Pumpkin Drive-Thru Open (Former Sam Leman Lot, 161 Detroit Ave.)

12:00pm - Carnival Rides and Midway Open

12:00pm - 8:00pm - Pumpkin Store Open (Merchandise Tent)

12:00pm - 8:00pm - Family Fun Patch / Local Spotlight

12:00pm - 9:00pm - Pumpkin Sweet Shop Open

12:00pm - 9:00pm - Pumpkin Grill Open

3:00pm - Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest (Entertainment Stage)

4:30pm - Entertainment (Entertainment Stage)

7:00pm - Pumpkin’s Got Talent (Entertainment Stage)

Date: September 13-16, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Morton, IL 61550.

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