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Welcome to The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival 2019
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is the quintessential kick-off event to celebrate the Fall season! Be a part of history as we attempt to break the Guinness World Record of for the most pumpkins carved and lit at once (30, 851) and help us raise money for Make-A-Wish Illinois. Come experience a full schedule of family-friendly activities and the charm of our small town that’s bursting with good will and family fun.
Activities and Events Schedule | Music Schedule | Festival Map
$5 Daily Admission
Buy your tickets at the entrance gates upon arrival.
Children 10 years old and under free.
All major credit cards accepted.
Rain or shine event.
Pet friendly!
| Prelude to Pumpkin Fest Hours | |
| Monday, Oct. 7 | 3:30pm - 9pm |
| Tuesday, Oct. 8 | 3:30pm - 9pm |
| Wednesday, Oct. 9 | 3:30pm - 9pm |
| Community Night *on north end of festival grounds | |
| Thursday, Oct. 10 | 5pm - 10pm |
| Pumpkin Fest Hours | |
| Friday, Oct. 11 | 4pm - 11pm |
| Saturday, Oct. 12 | 11am - 11pm |
| Sunday, Oct. 13 | 11am - 9pm |
| Carnival Hours sponsored by Demuth Inc. | |
| Thursday, Oct. 10 | 5pm - 9pm Unlimited Rides - 5pm - 9pm |
| Friday, Oct. 11 | 4pm - 10pm Unlimited Rides - 5pm - 9pm |
| Saturday, Oct. 12 | 12pm - 10pm Unlimited Rides - 12pm - 4pm |
| Sunday, Oct. 13 | 12pm - 9pm Unlimited Rides - 12pm - 4pm |
2019 Calendar
BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin). The quantity of pumpkins delivered on site will NOT be enough to break the world record. Bring a carved pumpkin to our Pumpkin Drop Off location in front of Highwood City Hall at 17 Highwood Ave. in Highwood on Monday, October 7 through Thursday, October 10 or bring it with you to the festival and receive FREE admission to the event. BYOP pumpkins will be accepted at the festival through Sunday afternoon Oct 13th.
Prelude to Pumpkin Fest
Monday, October 7- Thursday, October 10
Monday, October 7
| 3:30pm - 9pm | Pumpkin Carving at Highwood City Hall |
Tuesday, October 8
| 3:30pm - 9pm | Pumpkin Carving at Highwood City Hall |
Wednesday, October 9
| 3:30pm - 9pm | Pumpkin Carving at Highwood City Hall |
Thursday, October 10
| 5pm - 10pm | Community Appreciation Night - Free Admission, Pumpkin Carving, Live Music, Cash Bar, Carnival & More! |
Friday, October 11 - Festival Begins
| 4pm | Festival Opens - Rides, Vendors Activities, All-You-Can-Carve Pumpkin Stations (while supplies last), Carnival and More |
| 4pm-11pm | Stop by the Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Kid Zone for some family fun! |
| 4pm - 9pm | Your Vote is Your Voice! Register to Vote at the Info Booth! |
| 4pm - 6pm | Trick-or-Treating Throughout Festival Grounds |
| 5pm – 9pm | Unlimited Carnival Ride Special ONLY $25 per person sponsored by Demuth Inc. and Radio Flyer |
| 7:45pm | Make-A-Wish Illinois Family Presentation on Xfinity Main Stage and Wall Lighting |
| 11pm | Festival Close |
Saturday, October 12
| 9am | Superhero 5K Run/Walk – *Sign-Up* |
| 11am | Festival Opens - Rides, Vendors Activities, All-You-Can-Carve Pumpkin Stations (while supplies last), and More |
| 11am-11pm | Stop by the Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Kid Zone for some family fun! |
| 12pm – 4pm | Unlimited Carnival Ride Special ONLY $25 per person sponsored by Demuth Inc. and Radio Flyer |
| 12pm – 8pm | Your Vote is Your Voice! Register to Vote at the Info Booth! |
| 2pm - 4pm | Dark 'n Stormy’s with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers! $2 off all Gosling’s Rum Drinks at the Pumpkin Fest bars during the performance of Petty Kings, a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band. |
| 3pm | Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest at the Party Lounge Stage sponsored by M. Brad Slavin Farmers Insurance - *Sign-Up* |
| 7:30pm | Make-A-Wish Illinois Family Presentation on Xfinity Main Stage and Wall Lighting |
| 11pm | Festival Close |
Sunday, October 13
| 11am | Festival Opens - Rides, Vendors Activities, All-You-Can-Carve Pumpkin Stations (while supplies last), and More |
| 11am-9pm | Stop by the Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Kid Zone for some family fun! |
| 12pm - 4pm | Unlimited Carnival Ride Special ONLY $25 per person sponsored by Demuth Inc. and Radio Flyer |
| 12pm - 6pm | Your Vote is Your Voice! Register to Vote at the Info Booth! |
| 12pm | Pet Costume Contest sponsored by Pet People at the Party Lounge Stage sponsored by M. Brad Slavin Farmers Insurance - *Sign-Up* |
| 12:00pm - 2:30pm | Bloody Mary’s with the Beatles! $2 off all Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bloody Mary’s at the Pumpkin Fest bars during the performance of The Love, a Beatles tribute band. |
| 1pm | Kids Costume Contest at the Party Lounge Stage sponsored by M. Brad Slavin Farmers Insurance - *Sign-Up* |
| 2 pm | Teens to Adult Costume Contest at the Party Lounge Stage sponsored by M. Brad Slavin Farmers Insurance - *Sign-Up* |
| 7pm | Make-A-Wish Illinois Family Presentation on Xfinity Main Stage and Wall Lighting |
| 9pm | Festival Closes |
From Our Facebook Page
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Come out today and sign up to volunteer at The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest to help grant wishes for Make-A-Wish Illinois! We will be at The Toadstool Pub until 6pm today to answer your questions. Two hours of your time can make a difference in the life of a critically ill child in Illinois
The Journalist highlights Chicago's favorite season with a guide to the city's fall festivals. Of course, The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is a must!
Chicago's Fall Festival Guide – Journal Hotels
Fall is arguably Chicago’s favorite season — and the city’s preoccupation with autumn goes far beyond Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The Windy City goes all-out for fall festivals, from a spirited fête inside the Lincoln Park Zoo to a charming event that simply celebrates apples. Here are nine fall fe...You heard it here, Front Row Phyllis needs YOU to start getting pumpkins NOW! Help The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival Break the world record for most pumpkins carved on site - Over 31,000 pumpkins! Festival proceeds go towards Make-A-Wish Illinois!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Friday, October 11 - Sunday, October 13
With your help, The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival has raised $140,000 over the past three years for Make-A-Wish Illinois to grant wishes for kids in Illinois with critical illnesses.
We can't do it without you!
The Following Volunteers are Needed:
Superhero 5K Run/Walk Course Marshals
Bartenders
Merchandise Sales Attendants
Entry Gate Attendants
Pumpkin Carving Area Assistants
Volunteer Positions For The Highwood Pumpkin Festival
Description and sign up sheet for Volunteer Positions For The Highwood Pumpkin Festival