North Smithfield pumpkin festival returns

12th annual PumpkinFest scheduled for Sept. 15

NORTH SMITHFIELD — The 12th annual North Smithfield Great Pumpkin Festival will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the joint grounds of North Smithfield High School and Middle School. The annual NS PumpkinFest will be held rain or shine.

As always, the event will host a small retail area where local, small-business retail vendors will be featuring their products. Non-profit organizations can host a booth as well. Some will be presenting their best foods, lots of free games, inflatables, crafts and activities to raise money for their organizations. The little ones can be entertained by the Mr. Rowland Music Man, Bubble Guy and BoBo the Clown will be returning. There will also be a REMAX hot air balloon for rides.

There are still a few vendor spots available and applications are available at www.greatpumpkinfestival.org.

This year, PumpkinFest will feature a Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest, Pie-Eating Contests and a Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off. Prizes will be presented at the North Smithfield High School boys’ soccer game to be held that evening, Sept. 15, at 5 and 7 p.m., against Cranston West.

Family-friendly acts on the main stage include: the Iguana Guy; “Charlie Marie,” a country solo artist; the local band Niteflies and Dennis The Magician. For the first time this year, the festival will host the Southwick Zoo, the hands-on ZooMobile Program called EARTH from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission buttons can be purchased in advance starting on Aug. 15 for $1 per person, at the following locations: North Smithfield Town Hall, N.S. ‘Lil General, R&D Seafood, Wright’s Dairy, Goodwin Bros. and N.S. Walgreens. Admission purchased at the gate on Sept. 15 is $2 per person.

For more information contact the PumpkinFest Committee at ns.pumpkinfest@gmail.com or visit www.great

pumpkinfestival.org. North Smithfield Middle School is located at 1850 Providence Pike.