WAYNESBORO – Buttonwood Nature Center presents its fourth annual Pumpkins and Pippins fall festival on Saturday, October 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area. Rain location is the Waynesboro Area Middle School.
A fundraiser for Buttonwood, home of The Institute, the festival includes a full slate of activities and fun for all ages, including a “kid zone” with yard games, a StoryWalk® hike and activity, a photo stand and more.
Pony rides for children from Serendipity Horse Meadows Farm provide a fun, memorable experience during the festival. New this year, children and adults can visit alpacas from Sugar Hollow Farm Alpacas.
The GRID (Grease, Rust, Iron & Dirt) Tractor Club from Quincy will bring antique tractors, and craft vendors offer a variety of wares. A raffle also is on tap.
“We also have a pie walk, a pumpkin patch and a decorated pumpkin contest,” said Jessica Watson, Buttonwood’s assistant director and event organizer. “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.
Live music is a festival mainstay. The bluegrass band, Marv Ashby and High Octane, will be the featured entertainment. Based in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., the band is known for dynamic traditional and contemporary bluegrass.
Those attending can buy lunch from Maddie Anne Perogies or J&M BBQ 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, Christine Lehman Art, Cosmic Rhythm, The Crafted Glad, Rose & Ivy, Silver Birch Co., Sugar Hollow Farm Alpacas and Thyme Nouveau.
New this year, admission is by donation, with cash or check accepted.
Underwriting support for this event by lead sponsor, Arlene Unger of Re/Max Results. Other sponsors are Rouzerville Business Association (pony rides); Owls Club of Waynesboro (band); Dave Shockey Auto Body (kid zone); Linda Barkdoll, Ronnie Martin Realty (raffle); plus Rainbow Restoration; Specialty Granules; and Josh Mummert, Iron Valley Real Estate. In-kind sponsors include Harlan Hess Farm, Ivy Hill Farm, Jem Farms and Rhinehart Orchards.
Additional support is by Buttonwood’s Today’s Horizon Fund contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; Marge Kiersz; APX Enclosures; Don Gibe and Nancy Erlanson; and the family of the late Carolyn Terry Eddy, with daughters Connie Fleagle and Kim Larkin. Facility support is courtesy of Washington Township.
For more information or to enter a pumpkin in the decorated pumpkin contest, people may call 717-762-0373, email to: Jessica@buttonwoodnaturecenter.org or visit www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org.
