The Orting Pumpkin Fest is primarily a food festival featuring items on the menu with pumpkin as a main ingredient. A few examples might be pumpkin sloppy joe burgers and chili dogs, pumpkin milkshakes, pumpkin pie, brownies and cider, pumpkin spice cotton candy, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin smoothies, caramel apples, elephant ears with pumpkin butter, pumpkin pizza, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cheese cake, cream cheese pumpkin rolls, kettle corn, and more. Everything is not pumpkin flavored - other good non-pumpkin flavored food and beverages will be available too.

Along with the great food is free entertainment on the Gazebo Stage and the Car Show next to the Orting Station.

LITTLE PUMPKIN PALS PARADE ENTRIES WANTED

Children ages 2 to 12 are invited to enter the Little Pumpkin Pals Parade along the Foothills Trail. Rules and registration forms are available at the booth by the bell tower starting at 11:00 a.m. Saturday Oct. 8th before the parade starts. The event is intended to be a casual and fun way to involve young children and their families in the festive spirit of the Pumpkin Fest. Kids are encouraged to wear festive costumes or attire that celebrates the pumpkin theme (not Halloween). It's easy to participate. The organizers just want kids to come and have fun! It's the most important parade rule.

The Parade Route: The parade will begin near the bell tower at Train Street and run to Route 66 Pizza on the Foothills Trail the full length of Orting City Park to a grand conclusion and introductions at the gazebo.

Assembly Time is 11:00 a.m., Saturday. The registration table will be at the beginning of the parade route, near the bell tower, located on Train Street, in Orting. Participants must register to be eligible for prizes. For judging, entry numbers will be assigned to each child and it must be displayed on clothing so it can be seen while the child is participating in the parade.

Costumes: Participants should try to wear something that is representative of the pumpkin theme.

Parade Rules: An adult must accompany each parade participant at all times and assist them on and off the Gazebo Stage. Adults need not be in costume, but it would be nice.

Judging: An independent team of judges will select the entries they feel are most representative of the spirit of the Orting Pumpkin Fest. They will be looking to see who is having the most fun and can make people in the audience smile, clap or cheer - just by waving at them! The judges will be looking for kids who could even make a pumpkin smile. Winners will be announced immediately after the parade and prizes will be awarded in three age groups.

Options: Participants may ride decorated bikes and tricycles or ride in a decorated wheelbarrow or wagon pulled by the parent or guardian. Judging will be based on costumes/clothing, not on the mode of transportation.

Download the Pumpkin Pals Parade Registration Form (PDF)

Download the Pumpkin Pals Parade Waiver Form (PDF)