Crowd gathers in Boykins for Pumpkin Fest
Published 9:00 am Friday, October 25, 2024
Fifteen-month-old Serafine Warren reaches out to a goat that was part of a petting zoo offered by Cluck and Creek Hatchery on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Boykins. Holding Serafine is Kyle Warren, and holding the goat is Dillon Curran. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Virginia Avenue is alive with activity Saturday, Oct. 19, during the 13th annual Boykins Pumpkin Fest. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The popularity of the hayride feature at the 13th annual Boykins Pumpkin Fest is on display in this photo from around noon on Saturday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Chantal Dalton, left, of Old Cart Critters petting zoo, leads the pony Stryker, who is carrying 6-year-old Raegan DeLoatch on a ride during the Boykins Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pausing for a photo during the Boykins Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19, are, from left, Camren DeLoatch, Lainey DeLoatch and Dustin DeLoatch. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left, 7-year-old Jenna Haines and 5-year-old Sofia Haines interact with a goat from the Cluck and Creek Hatchery’s petting zoo. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left, 4-year-old Jace Holloman and 2-year-old Lonnie Jennings participate in a bowling game. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Canaan Valles, top, and Selah Valles pet a dog that was part of the Cluck and Creek Hatchery’s petting zoo at the Boykins Pumpkin Fest. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Looking after Breezy, the miniature pony from Old Cart Critters petting zoo, are Leah Hoffler, left, and Keyona Riddick. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Smiling for a photo during the Boykins Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19, are, from left, Richard L. “Rick” Francis, Joyce Clark and Kent Clark. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From right, Shameka Henderson and Patricia Peterson prepare some food for Clete Lassiter during the Boykins Pumpkin Fest. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Michael Mahanes, left, and Ron Johnson represent Boykins Baptist Church at the Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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The 13th annual Boykins Pumpkin Fest successfully drew a crowd Saturday, Oct. 19, allowing Boykins to share its small-town atmosphere through a family oriented festival that celebrated the town’s rural heritage and harvest season.
“I feel like we had another successful year,” said Boykins Town Clerk/Treasurer Victoria Edwards, who served as the event’s coordinator. “The weather was beautiful, and everyone loved the touch-a-truck feature we added this year.”
Concentrated on Virginia Avenue in the center of town, the Pumpkin Fest featured pony rides, a petting zoo, hayrides, interactive games, bounce houses, vendors, plenty of pumpkins and gourds for purchase, a carved/decorated pumpkin contest and a touch-a-truck feature allowing some unique opportunities to interact with emergency vehicles, first responders and law enforcement.
“We had an awesome crowd this year,” Edwards said. “They were so interactive and participated with our games. I believe this was the most fun I’ve had at our festival since I’ve been the event coordinator.”
She said the festival featured visitors from all over the region and northeast North Carolina.
“We had one family come all the way from Philadelphia,” she said. “This was their second year attending the festival, and they are hoping to eventually move to our small little town.”
Edwards noted that of all the festival’s features, the hayride was by far the busiest attraction this year.
“There was a line ready as soon as it returned from its route,” she said. “Our touch-a-truck was another favorite of the day.”
