Pumpkinpalooza is smashing success
Despite the cold, wind, and drizzle in the area, families and friends in the Oktibbeha County area showed up to take part in Pumpkinpalooza in Downtown Starkville on Thursday evening. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., businesses along Main Street passed out candy and other goodies to costumed children in celebration of the approaching Halloween holiday.
There were so many activities for children to enjoy beyond trick-or-treating at the businesses. Children were able to see inside fire trucks from Starkville Fire Department, there was a pumpkin decorating booth that Starkville Area Arts Council had set up, and there was a ramp set up for the pumpkin races called the Talledegourd 500.
The Talledegourd 500, which was presented by the Mississippi State University Idea Shop, consisted of multiple heats of decorated pumpkins on board as they rolled down a ramp and raced. Individuals were able to enter as well as businesses. There were pumpkins from children in the crowd as well as businesses in the Starkville community facing off against each other. Eventually the top three pumpkins faced off against each other to see who would take home first. Jeffrey Rupp, Ward 3 Alderman and Director of Outreach with the MSU College of Business, was the main host of the event and kept the crowd engaged for the duration of the Talledegourd 500.
“We are going to race pumpkins until we have a winner, and to the winner, we will give $250 to their favorite charity,” Rupp said.
Mayor Lynn Spruill was present but could not speak, so Rupp interpreted for her.
“She says thank you, and gentlemen, start your pumpkins!”
The event was sponsored by Chick-fil-a of Starkville and pulled together by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. There were many children to take advantage of the bounce houses, face painting, and photo booth with pumpkins.
One thing is for sure: Starkville needed this kind of event, and it showed. With as many people who came out after a hectic and unpredictable last year and a half. As the winter holidays near, there will be more events for residents to stretch their legs and socialize yet again.