The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival 2024

Festival October 4 - 6

THE ANNUAL GREAT HIGHWOOD PUMPKIN FEST
SKELETONS ON DISPLAY
AND
PUMPKIN TOWN USA

October 6-8, 2024
NO ENTRY FEE

***Leashed Dogs Are Welcome***

***All Information below is from the 2023 Fest - 2024 Updated information is coming soon

 

You are invited to continue to visit Pumpkin Town USA in Everts Park.
Check out the Rock N' Roll Through History Skeleton Displays.

Celebrate Highwood is excited to announce its 13th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, October 6-8, 2023, will once again go for the World Record for the most jack-o'-lanterns on display (30,581 held by Keene, NH from 2013). This family friendly, fan favorite annual event will offer all-you-can-carve pumpkin stations throughout town, three days of live music from two stages, children’s and pet costume and pumpkin pie eating contests, a variety of food and artisan vendors, full bars, a carnival, hayrides and more! And, to kick it all off, Rock N’ Roll Through History Skeleton Displays will be going up throughout Highwood the weekend of October 1st to get the community in the Fall spirit. And new this year, Pumpkin Town USA will be constructed in the center of Everts Park. The Skeletons and Pumpkin Town will be up all month long.

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest grounds will be spread throughout Highwood at Highwood City Hall (17 Highwood Avenue), Everts Park (111 North Avenue), Painters Park (420-424 Sheridan Road) and the Highwood Metra Station Parking Lot, where a full carnival will be located. Street closures of Green Bay Road from North Avenue to Highwood Avenue, and Highwood Avenue from Green Bay Road to Waukegan Avenue, will welcome food, drink and activity vendors as well as Great Pumpkin Walls that will be lit up nightly.

Attendees will enjoy three days of live music and contests from three stages throughout Fest grounds, including the Main Stage at North Avenue and Green Bay, the World Music Stage at the bandshell in Everts Park and the contest stage in Painters Park.

In combination with the 13th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest, the town will also boast the first Pumpkin Town USA in the center of Everts Park, as well as the ever-popular Skeletons on Display with this years’ theme of Rock N’ Roll Through History. These artistic seasonal installations will be up all month long and encourage attendees to walk around Downtown Highwood to post for pictures, patronize businesses and enjoy everything Highwood has to offer.

Each Rock N’ Roll through history display will include artistic guitars created by The Art Center Highland Park commissioned artists. The decorative pieces will be auctioned off starting on October 28 through October 31, with proceeds going to The Art Center Highland Park. Attendees can vote for their favorite displays using the QR codes stationed around the displays.

“The Skeletons on Display and Pumpkin Town USA are such a great ways to kick off the season and offer a preview of what’s to come at Pumpkin Fest and throughout the entire month of October,” says James Lynch, executive director of the Art Center of Highland Park. “This year’s artists are enthusiastically taking the Rock N’ Roll theme and running with it, creating amazing displays for the public to enjoy.”

“The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest put Highwood on the map and it’s the perfect kick-off to Fall after our summer series of events,” says Eric Falberg. President of Celebrate Highwood. “In our lucky 13th year, we are bringing back all of the fan favorites and will once again go for the world record of the most jack-o-lanterns lit and displayed.”

Recognizing the amazing community as an integral part in pulling this event off, Celebrate Highwood is once again hosting a Community Appreciation Night and Opening Carnival on Thursday, October 5th from at 5-9 PM. With a relaxed atmosphere, this preview night features all-you-can-carve pumpkin stations and a full carnival with rides, games and food. Highwood restaurants, businesses and bars will be open for business as well.

Don't miss a visit to Pumpkin Town USA, sponsored by Wayfarer Theaters,
the fest's first ever pumpkin village, located in Everts Park.

THE GREAT HIGHWOOD PUMPKIN FEST SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Thursday, October 5 (Community Appreciation Night) 

5-9 PM - All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations
5-9 PM - Unlimited Carnival Ride Specials

Friday, October 6

4 PM - Festival Opens – Food and Artisan Craft Vendors, All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations, Hay Rides and more!
4-11 PM - Live Music at Everts Park and Main Stage - View Music Schedule
4-6 PM - Trick or Treating Throughout Festival Grounds sponsored by Foss Swim School of Highland Park
5-9 PM Hayrides sponsored by Avidor Evanston and Libertyville Chevrolet and Libertyville Happy Hyundai
5-10 PM - Carnival Rides & Games
7:45 - Ceremonial Wall Lighting
10 PM - Festival Close

Saturday, October 7

11 AM - Festival Opens - Food and Artisan Craft Vendors, All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations, Hay Rides and more!
11 AM-11 PM - Live Music at Everts Park and Main Stage - View Music Schedule
1-9 PM Hayrides sponsored by Avidor Evanston and Libertyville Chevrolet and Libertyville Happy Hyundai
1-10 PM - Carnival Rides & Games
8 PM - Ceremonial Wall Lighting
10 PM - Festival Close

Sunday, October 8

11 AM - Festival Opens - Food and Artisan Craft Vendors, All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations,  Hay Rides and more!
11 AM-9 PM - Live Music at Everts Park - View Music Schedule
1-8 PM Hayrides sponsored by Avidor Evanston and Libertyville Chevrolet and Libertyville Happy Hyundai
1-9 PM - Carnival Rides & Games
12 PM - Pet Costume Contest at Painters Park Stage - Pet Costume Contest Signup
1 PM - Kids Costume Contest at Painters Park Stage - Kids Costume Contest Signup sponsored by Piano Power
2 PM - Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest at Painters Park Stage - Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest Signup sponsored by Bent Fork Bakery
7 PM - Great Pumpkin Wall Lighting
9 PM - Festival Closes

For a full music lineup and schedule please visit www.celebratehighwood.org or www.HighwoodPumpkinFest.com. The weekend activities and events schedule will be constantly updated as activities are confirmed.

Many thanks to the sponsors that make The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest possible including: Wayfarer Theaters, American Place, Freshie, & Authentico, Porsche Exchange, Aloha Restoration Co, Breckenridge Distillery, Christopher Burke Engineering, College of Lake County, ComEd, Compass Real Estate, DeMuth Inc, Dunkin Donuts, Elf Butterscotch Whiskey, Roe Miller's Sweet Tea Whiskey, Ghost Tequila, Gold Fish Swim School, Home Improvement Network, HP Ventures Group, Libertyville chevy & Hyundai, Little Tommy's Plumbing, Midwest Gutter Guard, Power Home Remodeling, Renewal by Andersen, Waterloo Sparkling Water, Ablaze Design Group,  Bernardi Securities, Bud Light Beer, Budweiser Beer, Dimeo Brothers Inc, Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, First Student, Foss Swim School, Goose Island 312 Beer, IC Signs and Graphics, Klein, Michelob Ultra Beer, Outshine, Piano Power, Spaten Ocktober Fest Beer, Stella Artois Beer, Thorpe & Jenkins, Radio Flyer, Tacos El Norte.

Mum Sale 2023

Proceeds will benefit the Highland Park Community Foundation

Mumms For Sale

11" Pots for $20 each.
Mums can be purchased during Pumpkin Fest while supplies last from the info booth which will be located at the Highwood City Hall.

From Our Facebook Page

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Celebrate Highwood

Celebrate Highwood

Bringing culture and creativity to the North Shore through our diverse businesses and series of special events. Please celebrate Highwood along with us!

3 weeks ago
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Vendor applications now available for Celebrate Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market, June 5-August 28, 4:30-9:30 PM. Recognized as one of the best outdoor markets on the North Shore, this weekly fest brings the community together to enjoy delicious food, drink, live music, and more! If interested, apply as a vendor here: www.celebratehighwood.org/vendor-info/ (www.celebratehighwood.org/vendor-info/) ... See MoreSee Less

Vendor applications now available for Celebrate Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market, June 5-August 28, 4:30-9:30 PM. Recognized as one of the best outdoor markets on the North Shore, this weekly fest brings the community together to enjoy delicious food, drink, live music, and more! If interested, apply as a vendor here: https://www.celebratehighwood.org/vendor-info/ (https://www.celebratehighwood.org/vendor-info/)
2 months ago
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We are excited to announce our 2024 calendar of events! Be sure to save the dates for the NEW International Mural Festival, June 6-9, and the return of Inferno Fest, June 26. Check out our website for updated information on all family-friendly festivals and events. www.CelebrateHighwood.org ... See MoreSee Less

We are excited to announce our 2024 calendar of events! Be sure to save the dates for the NEW International Mural Festival, June 6-9, and the return of Inferno Fest, June 26.  Check out our website for updated information on all family-friendly festivals and events. www.CelebrateHighwood.org
4 months ago
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To all our lucky Elves...get ready to indulge in The Toadstool Pub Elf Invasion drink special, the 'Give Me Vermont Spirits Distilling Co No. 14 S’mores'—available as a shot or a delicious cocktail! Enjoy live music by James (5-6:30) and the Tap Room All-Stars starting at 7:30. Be sure to bring your raffle ticket for a chance to win a Toadstool Pub exclusive gift basket.

And if you haven’t gotten your tix yet, there are a few remaining so get yours now before they sell out! www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-elf-invasion-pub-crawl-tickets-743860696367
... See MoreSee Less

To all our lucky Elves...get ready to indulge in The Toadstool Pub  Elf Invasion drink special, the Give Me Vermont Spirits Distilling Co No. 14 S’mores—available as a shot or a delicious cocktail! Enjoy live music by James (5-6:30) and the Tap Room All-Stars starting at 7:30. Be sure to bring your raffle ticket for a chance to win a Toadstool Pub exclusive gift basket.

And if you haven’t gotten your tix yet, there are a few remaining so get yours now before they sell out! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-elf-invasion-pub-crawl-tickets-743860696367
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