20180930
20180927
Festival News Release
Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival and Weigh-off set for Saturday, October 6
Twenty-seven years after celebrating Jim Asberry’s
716.5-pound Tennessee record-breaking pumpkin, the City of Allardt again anticipates
a record breaker at its Saturday, October 6 festival and weigh-off. Previous
festivals have featured jaw-dropping giant pumpkins with weights that toppled
records for Kentucky and Georgia as well as Tennessee and the local event.
In 2017 James and John
VanHook of Somerset, KY, broke records for the weigh-off as well as the state
of Kentucky with their 1,594 lbs. entry. Second place went to Bruce Terry of
Helenwood with a 1,353 pounder and third place to Jason Terry of Oneida with a
1,342 lbs. entry. Tim Grizzle of Blairsville broke the Georgia state record
with a 4th place pumpkin weighing 1,306. But
Allardt still await the 2,000 pounder. This could be the year.
Thousands of festival goers will flock to this favorite fall
event, drawn by the weigh-off, plus a spectacular region-wide auto show, food
and craft vendors in Bruno Gernt Park, live music on-stage at City Hall, a
Pumpkin Run, motorcycle and tractor shows, a parade at 3 p.m. (Central), and a
costume contest. The festival is fun for the entire family with free parking,
free admission, and fireworks to top off the day. A pre-festival Great Pumpkin
Beauty Pageant sponsored by Clarkrange Drug Center is set for Sept. 29 in
Jamestown with winners to be introduced at the festival’s 10 a.m opening ceremonies
October 6.
The actual weigh-off at the Sandy’s Diner
building is set for 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. with registration from 8 a.m. to 9:45
a.m. Dwight Dickson will serve as master of ceremonies. Allardt is a GPC
weigh-off site offering $1000, $600, and $400 prizes for the top pumpkin,
watermelon, and green squash respectively. An assortment of other vegetables
will compete for weight and size awards as well.
Chairman Cathy Jeffers will
officially open the festival at 10 a.m. (Central) October 6 at Allardt City
Hall with introductions of the 2018 Festival King and Queen and pageant winners
from the September 29 event. A costume contest sponsored by Progressive Savings
Bank for children up to age 12 will follow at the same location. Register for
the contest beside the stage at 9:30 a.m.
Live music and entertainment on stage at City Hall starts at
12:30 p.m. to run until the 3 p.m. parade. Singers and musicians resume
following the parade at about 4 p.m. Headlining the event will be singer Jaimee
Paul and her band (jaimeepaul.com), with performances by Tim Ledbetter Band, Cody Hull, and Children's Jubilee. William Bilbrey (Millenium Sound) is
entertainment coordinator.
Stephen Williams, assisted by the York Institute
Cheerleaders, spearheads the Clyde and Zelia Stephens Memorial Auto Show,
sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts and Bank of Fentress County. Registration is
from 8 a.m. until noon at the 4-way stop in Allardt. Entries can expect lots of
prizes, awards, and cash giveaways. The Motorcycle Show, coordinated by Doug
Sells, will also present trophies and prizes. The Motorcycle Show is sponsored
by Union Bank, Micro Metals Inc., and DSC Concrete. Antique tractor exhibitors
will gather near the auto show and participate along with autos and motorcycles
in the 3 p.m. parade. Dustin Garrett coordinates the tractor show, sponsored by Twin
Lakes Lawn & Tractor, Cookeville, and Garrett Tractor Repair and
Restoration, Jamestown. Tractor entries will also receive freebies provided by steinertractorparts.com
Runners start off the day at 7 a.m.
(Central) at Allardt School for the annual Pumpkin Run. There are 10k, 5k, and
3k runs and a one-mile Fun Run. Pick up an entry form at Hall Family Pharmacy,
event sponsor in Jamestown. You may
also download an entry form at allardtpumpkinfestival.com or register the
morning of the run. A portion of the proceeds
will go to benefit the Children’s Shopping Spree.
The Pumpkin Festival Parade, a
highlight of the day, will step off at 3 p.m. led by the winning giant pumpkin
and the Festival King and Queen, accompanied by the Oneida
High School Pride of the Tribe Marching Band. Crystal Tompkins is parade
chairman.
The
2017 first annual Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Roll Contest was a huge success.
Entries will again be taken at the Allardt Medical Clinic at 2009 Michigan
Avenue beside the Allardt Fire Hall between 8:00 and 9:30 am the day of the
Festival. Anyone can enter and all entries must be homemade. The $10 entry fee
will go to the Allardt Volunteer Fire Department with the actual desserts being
served with the meals purchased at the Fire Hall. Winners will be announced at
the City Hall stage around noon, with the 1st and 2nd
place winning entries being auctioned off at that time. All proceeds go to the
Allardt Fire Department. The first place winners in each of the two categories
will get $200 each with the 2nd place winners receiving $50. This
event is sponsored by the Allardt Medical Clinic and the Dr. Doug Smith Family.
For the best festival food in the
Southeast make your way to the Bruno Gernt Park and sample the highly sought
pumpkin rolls, fried pies, fried Oreos, pumpkin and nut breads, rolled ice
cream, and the usual funnel cakes and homemade goodies brought by local church
folks. Come early for the best selection
of goodies.
There is more substantial fare as
well – tasty barbecue at the Allardt Fire Hall, deep fried vegetables, Italian
and Polish sausages, hamburgers, hot dogs, pinto beans and corn bread, and
barbecue from vendors in the park.
Shop for festival t-shirts at the
Information Booth #4 in the park, crafts and decorative items, including
handmade wreaths, quilts, afghans, Christmas decorations, wood crafts, artwork,
jewelry, purses, and numerous other items. Vendor park sponsors are Micro
Metals Inc. and Top of the Hill Properties. Cathy Jeffers is coordinator.
Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative
provides free Wi-fi for the festival in the vendor park and at one additional
location in the city.
For more information and updates see
the Allardt Pumpkin Festival Facebook page or AllardtPumpkinFestival.com.
Sponsors of the festival and weigh-off include: Allardt Land Company,
Allardt Medical Clinic, Bank of Fentress County, Buckeye Home Medical
Equipment, City of Jamestown, Clarkrange Drug Center, Conditioned Heating &
Cooling, Dilip Joshi, M.D., DSC Concrete, Fentress County Soil Conservation
District, Fentress County Farm Bureau, Fentress County Solid Waste, Fentress
Courier, First Volunteer Bank, Garrett Tractor Repair & Restoration,
H&R Block, Hall Family Pharmacy, Micro Metals Inc., O’Reilly Auto Parts,
Progressive Savings Bank, R&T Trophies, Rains Agency, Senator Ken Yager,
St. Christopher Catholic Church, Steiner Tractor Parts, Top of the Hill
Properties, Twin Lakes Lawn & Tractor, and Union Bank.
#
20180913
2018 Allardt Pumpkin Festival Event Schedule
and Weigh-off, Saturday, October 6
Pumpkin Run
- Registration 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Oct. 7 at Allardt School. Line-up 7:45 to 8
a.m., and start time at 8 a.m. Categories of entry are 10K run, 5K run, 3K, and
1 mile Fun Run. New this year – Runners Costume Contest. Prizes for best
individual and best group. Entry fee is $15 for the 10k, 5K, and 3k, and $10
for the 1 mile Fun Run. (Family rate three or more entries $40 total).
Sponsored by Hall Family Pharmacy to benefit the Children’s Shopping Spree. Entry
forms available at Hall Family Pharmacy. Submit completed form and fee to Hall
Family Pharmacy or mail to Hall Family Pharmacy, P O Box 420, Jamestown, TN
38556. Or register the morning of the run. Early registrants are guaranteed a
Free Pumpkin Run shirt. Other participants first come, first served.
Festival Kick-off Ceremonies –10 a.m. at Allardt City Hall.
Chairman Cathy Jeffers will welcome everyone and present the 2018 Great Pumpkin
Festival King and Queen and the Pumpkin Festival Beauty Pageant winners.
Children's Costume Contest - 10 a.m. on stage at Allardt City
Hall. Registration at 9:30 a.m. Categories: Ages 0-2 years; 3-5 years; 6-8
years; 9-12 years; and group. Any costume theme acceptable. No live animals,
please. Sponsored by Progressive Savings Bank.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Roll
Contest – Registration
of entries 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Allardt Fire Hall. The
$10 entry fee will go to the Allardt Volunteer Fire Department with the actual
desserts being served with the meals purchased at the Fire Hall. Winners will
be announced at the City Hall stage around noon, with the 1st and 2nd
place winning entries being auctioned off at that time. All proceeds go to the
Allardt Fire Department. The first place winners in each of the two categories
will get $200 each with the 2nd place winners receiving $50.
Weigh-Off of Pumpkins and Other
Vegetables –
Register your pumpkins, squash, watermelons, and other vegetables from 8 a.m.
to 9:45 a.m. at the Sandy’s Diner building. Entry fee $10. The actual weigh-off
will take place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Allardt is an official GPC weigh-off site.
- Pumpkins - First place - $1000 (2nd – 10th place – $400, $300, $200, $100, $50, $25)
- Watermelons - First place - $600 (2nd – 5th place – $300, $200, $100, $50)
- Green Squash - First place - $400 (2nd – 5th place – $300, $200, $100, $50)
- Prettiest Pumpkin - $100
The big pumpkin winner must
ride in the parade or be disqualified. See rules and regulations at
www.allardtpumpkinfestival.com. Dwight Dickson will serve as master of
ceremonies. (Weigh-off scales supplied by Fairfield Scales, Nashville.)
Clyde and Zelia Stephens Memorial Auto Show
Registration Saturday from 8
a.m. – noon Central Time at the 4-Way Stop in Allardt. $10 registration fee.
ALL cars and trucks welcome!
- Pumpkin Queens Choice Trophy
- Awards to Top 25. Dash plaques to the first 300 entries.
- Gift Cards and Car Wash Bucket giveaways.
- Awards and prizes start at 2:00 p.m. day of show registration only.
- Swap meet spaces (auto related items only) 15’ x 20’ - $25.
- Event Chairman: Stephen Williams, 931-265-3264.
- Sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts and Bank of Fentress County
Motorcycle Show
Registration Saturday from 8
a.m. – noon Central Time at Allardt Land Company. $10 registration fee. ALL
motorcycles welcome!
- 1st - 3rd Pumpkin Queens Choice Trophies
- Awards and Prize giveaways at Auto Show at 2:00 pm
- Day of show registration only
- Event Chairman - Doug Sells 931-704-0628
- Sponsored by Union Bank, Micro Metals Inc., and DSC Concrete.
Antique Tractor Show - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gernt Lumber Yard behind Allardt Land Company. Event Chairman Dustin Garrett (931-319-1871. Participants
will receive commemorative plaques or trophies. Sponsored by Twin Lakes Tractor
and Lawn and Garrett Tractor Repair and Restoration, Jamestown. Freebies:
steinertractorparts.com
Pumpkin Festival Parade - 3 p.m. – The parade is always a highlight of the day
and one of the largest parades of the year for Fentress County. This year’s
parade will feature the Oneida High School Pride of the Tribe Marching Band. As
usual, parade entries will line up on the Baseline Road. To line up, follow
Highway 52 E from Allardt past the orange water tower to the Les Franklin Road.
Turn left at the Les Franklin Road. Then enter the Baseline Road from the Les
Franklin Road only. The deadline for entries is noon Thursday, October 4. Registration
form found in Fentress Courier. Call Crystal Tompkins at 879-5897 or 397-3495
for additional information.
Entertainment and On Stage Schedule – Allardt City Hall. William
Bilbrey, entertainment chairman.
- 9:30 am – Costume Contest Registration
- 10:00 am – Pageant Winners and King & Queen Introduction / Costume Contest
- 12:30 – 1:15 pm – Tim Ledbetter Band
- 1:30 – 2:45 pm – Cody Hull
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm – “Parade – Main Stage Break”
- 4:00 – 4:45 pm – Jaimee Paul
- 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Children’s Jubilee
- 6:00 – 6:45 pm – Jaimee Paul
Fireworks top off the event at dark
about 7 p.m.
Crafts and Food Vendors
- 125+ Vendors set up in the Bruno Gernt Park, all day. All vendors set up anywhere in Allardt and
who have not paid the Festival fee are asked to purchase a vendor's permit for
$50 at Allardt City Hall and keep it at their site during the festival. The
permit verifies that vendors have helped support the festival by their contribution
toward festival expenses. The vendor park is sponsored by Micro Metals and
Top of the Hill Properties. Cathy Jeffers, event chairman.
~ Free Parking and Free Admission ~
Weigh-off and Festival Event Sponsors and Contributors:
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