October 4th & 5th 2008

Come join us in Anamosa, the Pumpkin Capital of Iowa

Named by the Iowa legislature in 1993, for great family fun at the annual Pumpkinfest and Weigh-off!  The event is scheduled for the 1st Saturday of October with events scheduled throughout the day including the Ryan Norlin Pumpkin Weigh-off, Pumpkinfest Parade, pumpkin carving exhibits, food and craft booths, pumpkin recipe contest, games, tractor pull and much more!
 

The Iowa record for a big pumpkin was broken several years in a row in the pumpkin capital of Iowa, Anamosa. In 2008, Anamosa received national recognition by weighing in the second largest pumpkin in the world at 1662 pounds from Don Young of
Des Moines, IA.

The Anamosa Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 20^th Annual Pumpkinfest again this year on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5.  The Norlin family will hosts the 20^th Annual Ryan Norlin Pumpkin Weigh-Off on October 4 in search for a world record again this year. And rumor has it that these pumpkins will be even bigger this year! Growers from all over the Midwest and as far away as Colorado and Michigan compete for $6,750 in prizes.

On Saturday, October 4, Downtown Main Street in Anamosa will be closed to showcase Food and Craft Vendors. Pumpkinfest activities include a Pumpkin Carving Exhibitions, Pumpkin Recipe Contest, Car Smash, Kids Games and Rides, Parade, Scarecrow Contest, Golf Tournament, Bowling Tournament, Beer Garden, Live Music and 5K Run.  The annual Chili Cook-Off benefits The Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization.

Sunday’s events include the annual Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast (regular pancakes are also available), Garden Tractor Pull, Punt, Pass and Throw sponsored by the Anamosa Jaycees and Golf Tournament. Again this year is the launching of pumpkins with the Pumpkin Trebuchet sponsored by FFA and the Chamber.

Sorry, the big pumpkins will not be on display on Sunday.

If you would like to be an exhibitor or would like more information regarding Pumpkinfest, please check out the vendor information link to the left or contact the Chamber office at 319-462-4879 or email us at: director@anamosachamber.org

2007 Sponsors