Everything’s coming up candy and pumpkins in downtown Summerville on Saturday, October 30. Summerville Main Streetwill team up with the Summerville Trion Optimist Club to present a Pumpkin Palooza with Pumpkin Derby and the Halloween Candy Walk! This fall celebration will be held down the East Washington Streetscape to the Summerville Depot. Hours for the Pumpkin Palooza will run from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Vendors will be on hand with a variety of foods, crafts, andretail for the public’s pleasure. Interested vendors should contact Susan Locklear by email at slocklear@summervillega.org for vendor registration information.
Highlights for the day will include a Youth Halloween Costume Contest for ages newborn – 12 at 10:30 a.m. inside of the Open-air Pavilion. Registration for the costume contest will begin at 10:15 a.m. Youth may enjoy a scavenger hunt within the event area to find hand sewn “creatures” and a special Pumpkin DerbyRace is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. on East Washington Street near the depot.
The Great Pumpkin Derby The Pumpkin Derby is a unique race for youth featuring handcrafted, decorated pumpkin racers battling head-to-head for the coveted Pumpkin Derby Championship Trophies and cash prizes. Trophies and cash prizes are sponsored by Summerville Main Street. 1st through 3rdplace trophies and prize monies will be awarded. Prize monieswill be in the amounts of $50 for 1st place Youth Division, $25 for 2nd place Youth Division, and $10 for 3rd place Youth Division. The races will be fun to watch but it’s even more fun when you’re completing.
What Is A Pumpkin Racer And What Are The Rules?
Pumpkin Racers are vehicles constructed from one pumpkinwith independent axles and wheels. Pumpkin racers come in all different shapes, sizes, and speeds. The Official Pumpkin Derby Rules have been established to inspire good old-fashioned American ingenuity, promote fair play, and ensure that all participants have a good time. All Pumpkin Derby Racers must design and race their pumpkin racers according to these rules to ensure that the race is fun and fair for everyone.
1. Pumpkin Derby Racers must be crafted using a single, whole pumpkin. (While it may be hollowed out, it must retain its pumpkin shape.)
2. Pumpkin Derby Racers must be created by inserting two independent axles through the pumpkin, with wheels attached to the axles.
3. Pumpkin Derby Racers shall not attach pumpkins onto a prefabricated chassis of any kind (skateboard, stroller, Tonka truck, etc.).
4. The total weight of a Pumpkin Derby Racer (pumpkin, decorations, wheels, etc.) cannot exceed 25 pounds. Your pumpkin racer will be weighed before it’s allowed to race.
5. NO EXPLOSIVES or PYROTECHNICS will be allowed. Registration time for the race will be 12:00 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. at the Main Street registration booth, located near the racing ramp.
Halloween Candy Walk
The Halloween Candy Walk is sponsored by The Summerville Trion Optimist Club and will run from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The candy walk will be located down the East Washington Street Streetscape area. The East Washington Street Streetscape entrances beginning at US 27/Commerce Street and The University Street Intersection will close to traffic beginning Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. and remain closed until 3:00 p.m. Economy Street entrances to East Washington Street will also be closed during this time.
The participating businesses and organizations always enjoy this fun event and look forward to welcoming all the ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other costumed trick-or-treaters that will make their appearance at the annual Candy Walk. Businesses, churches, clubs, and civic organizations wishing to participate in handing out candy and treats to all the little spooks should contact Cindy Rivers at (706) 466-9014 for registration and set-up details.
