By Dave Fidlin
CORRESPONDENT
As the seasonal baton of summer is passed on to autumn, thoughts of fall festivities are emerging in communities across the region.
This shift is especially notable in Union Grove, where organizers are starting to plan for this year’s Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest, which is earmarked for Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Racine County Fairgrounds.
While Union Grove has long hosted an autumnal-themed event, the current iteration under the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest is entering its third year. The Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce has been spearheading the event.
Jennifer Ditscheit, executive director of the local chamber organization, said the goal of this year’s event is to build off last year’s momentum.
“We had 2,500 people here last year, which quadrupled our attendance (from 2014),” Ditscheit said. The chamber expanded the duration of Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest last year — from one to two days — and added a number of activities, many of which are included on this year’s roster.
The Midwest BBQ Cook-Off was especially well attended last year, Ditscheit said. It is returning this year as meat lovers try their hand at the competitive event with their own creations.
A sampling of this year’s menu of offerings includes a pumpkin slingshot competition and a series of new games for youngsters and, for that matter, the young-at-heart. Staffers from the Racine Zoo also will pay a visit for a mini exhibit.
Ditscheit said the heart and soul of the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest is the community volunteerism behind it. Many of the activities come to fruition because of donated time and labor.
“We’ve had a lot of community members who’ve built some neat games,” she said.
Organizers also are ramping up this year’s costume contest, which is being divided into two categories — one for children, the other for adults.
“We’re excited to see people come out in costume,” Ditscheit said. “It’s always interesting to see what people come up with, and we are going to have some pretty good prizes this year.”
Ditscheit said she believes the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest has been a crowd-pleaser the past few years because of its broad appeal.
“There’s so much activity going on during these two days,” she said. “There really is something for everyone at this event.”
To keep tabs on the planning for this year’s event, visit the chamber’s website devoted exclusively to the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest: www.pumpkinchuckin.com.
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