The James Cultural Plaza in historic downtown Auburn transforms into a family friendly celebration of all things pumpkin, featuring live pumpkin carving by Food Network champion carver Shannon Gerasimchik and a showcase of intricately carved pumpkins. Guests can enjoy live music, hot cider, pumpkins for kids to decorate, games, a farmers market, food trucks, and other seasonal activities.
Highlights include free cider from 9th Street Brewing Company, horse drawn carriage rides connecting the plaza and the farmers market with support from AMS and the Horseman’s Association, and festive fun from Kim’s Korner Music with bobbing for pumpkin ducks and prizes. The Kids Corner offers a free pumpkin decorating contest on a first come, first served basis with prize categories for ages 2–5, 6–12, and 13–18, along with a kids corn pit and a cookie or cake walk while supplies last. Costumes are welcome, and candy will be available at the AMS booth.
Around downtown, look for an All Things Pumpkin vendor market, live musicians at the plaza and at the farmers market, and playful touches like witches broom parking outside The Olive Twist. Eckhart Public Library will offer stories and an activity. Auburn Main Street adds pumpkin painting while supplies last, a corn pit, and a costume contest.
Food trucks will be on site, and nearby eateries and sweet spots are ready with seasonal favorites and local flavors. Options include coffee and desserts at 9th Street Brew Coffee House, cookies from Classic City Cookies, fine dining at Auburn City Steakhouse, deli offerings from Carve Market, specialty oils, vinegars, teas, and gifts at The Olive Twist, pizza and pasta at Pizza Forum, homemade ice cream and Italian ice at Classic City Creamery, a varied menu at Mimi’s, family dining at Mad Anthony’s Tap Room, a bourbon and cigar bar with food and high end drinks at Barrel and Blaze, mead slushies at Cupka’s Bee Good Meadery, and sandwiches and desserts at Cranberry Cottage Tea Room and Boutique.
Shopping opportunities span downtown, including Cranberry Cottage Tea Room and Boutique’s resale boutique, Kim’s Korner Music with pumpkin duck bobbing and prizes, The Sprinkling Can floral and home decor, Country Lane General Store with multiple vendors, Heirloom Gallery classes and artwork, The Olive Twist gourmet seasonings and gifts, Lyn Maree’s Boutique, Birch and Bell Boutique, Little Sprouts Boutique, Atrium Marketplace, Nature’s Mercantile apothecary and gifts, Carbaugh Jewelers with 20 percent off remaining Bentelli sterling silver and diamond jewelry, All About You Boutique, Blue Fruit Jar antique shop, and Forget Me Not Boutique.
This community gathering is made possible by the Legacy Sponsor, The City of Auburn, Corporate Sponsors FCI Construction, Classic City Body & Paint, Classic City Detail, and Morgan Hefty State Farm Insurance, and event sponsors Color Master and Carbaugh Jewelers.