Bessemer celebrates 41st annual Pumpkin Fest

By KIM E. STROM

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Bessemer - There was no rain in the forecast, and the sun often peaked out from the clouds for a fun-filled day of activities at the 41st annual Pumpkin Festival in Bessemer Saturday. Festivities began Wednesday and continued through Sunday with most of the events planned for Saturday.

Saturday morning began with a pumpkin pancake breakfast and ended with the zombie pub crawl with plenty of activities in between for all ages.

Children got a chance to celebrate Halloween early during the Kiddie Parade. Many creative costumes were featured with Sue Abelman and her team of witches handing out candy to the kids afterward. A pet costume contest followed the parade with the winner being Butch the "lion" and his lion tamer Wyler Koput, 9, of Ramsay. Wyler is the son of John and Andrea Koput.

"It's nice," said organizer and lead volunteer Donna Frello, pointing out a few of the events. "We're lucky the weather held out today. A family can come here and there's something for everyone. Free carnival rides, free face painting and a ventriloquist who has been coming for 36 years now. ... Everything comes together."

The festival continued with many pumpkin-related events from a pumpkin pie-eating contest, to pumpkin bowling. There was also a craft show, a winter clothing giveaway, a tractor pull and a treasure hunt.

"It's hard to tell the turnout as everything is spread out," said Frello. Sophie Street was packed toward midday. Some of the craft vendors said they did well this year.

Frello said organizers are proud the carnival rides are offered free, funded by donations and 50-50 raffle ticket sales. "It takes a lot of money and a lot of volunteers from all over," she said. "It's a family friendly event."

The winning 50-50 ticket number is 5502. The number was drawn Sunday evening and the prize is $5,000.