110th Versailles Pumpkin Show This Week

A pumpkin pyramid at the Versailles Pumpkin Show.

file photo

(Versailles, Ind.) – One of southeast Indiana’s biggest harvest celebrations is set to get underway Wednesday evening on the courthouse square in Versailles.

Organized by the Versailles Lions Club, the Versailles Pumpkin Show is one of the oldest street festivals in Indiana, now in its 110th year. There are parades, games, contests, live music, and – of course – lots of pumpkins.

The festivities begin Wednesday evening. One of the biggest differences festival-goers will see this year is an entire extra day added on Sunday.

Some highlights of the Versailles Pumpkin Show include the Pumpkin King and Queen Contest on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., the talent show Friday at 5:00, a big parade through town at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, and the giant pumpkin winners at 1:00 p.m. Saturday. The Lions Club 5K Run-Walk is a new event this year taking place Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

See below for a full schedule of events or visit www.ripleycountytourism.com/pumpkin:

Wednesday, Sept. 26

5:00pm Opening Ceremony
5:15-6:00 Morgan Romans - Local Female Music Artist

6:15-6:45 Young Confederates - South Ripley Swing Choir

7:00-8:30 King & Queen Contest

8:30-9:30 Over the Edge - Classic Rock/Country

Thursday, Sept. 27

5:00pm Opening Ceremony

5:00-6:30 Micah McFarland - Local Male Music Artist

7:00-8:00 Prince & Princess Contest

8:00-8:15 Pie Eating Contest  

8:15-9:30 Hoosier Hill Bluegrass Band

Friday, Sept. 28

5:00pm Opening Ceremony

5:00-6:30 Talent Show (must be pre-registered)

6:30-7:30 Jodi & the Creecher - Acoustic/Blues/Classic Rock 

8:00-10:00 Aly'an-Country, Nashville Recording Artist

Saturday, Sept. 29

10:30am Parade

12:15-12:30 Gold Star Chili Cheese Coney Eating Contest (local high school competition)

12:30-1:00 Children's Pumpkin Painting

1:00-1:30 Announcement of Giant Pumpkin Winners Awards Presentation

1:30-2:00 Children's Tractor Pull

2:00-2:30 South Ripley Young Confederates

3:00-4:30 Casey Chapman, Cheyenne Burress, and DJ - Local Music Artists 

5:00-6:00 High School Cheerleading Contest

6:30-7:30 Holly Abbott - American Idol Contestant

7:30-9:00 Rick K. and the Allnighters - Rock N' Roll from the 50s to the 90s

Sunday, Sept. 30

1:00pm Lions Club 5k Run/Walk

1:00-5:00 Rides only 1 ticket

Talent Show Contestants
One person only, send CD with photo and contact information, deadline for entries September 14 to:
M&N Music, PO Box 207, Versailles, IN 47042 

Craft Booths
Call Cindy Barnett 812-571-2905 for a craft or art space during the Pumpkin Show. 

Food/Game Vendors
Call Andy Schoendienst 618-407-3044 

Pumpkin Baking Contest
Thurs, Sept. 27 8:00-10:00am
Ripley Publishing Company
812-689-6364 

Tri Kappa Art Show
Evenings during the Pumpkin Show in the Courthouse
Mary Ann McCoy 812-689-6115