The History of the Circleville Pumpkin Show

By: Genevieve Carstensen

Everybody knows about the famous Circleville Pumpkin Show, but do you know how it started or how long it’s been going on?  After reading this article you’ll be a Pumpkin Show expert.

The Pumpkin Show  started out how you’d expect a rural Ohio fair would be, small. The first Pumpkin Show was held in 1903. In front of Mayor George R. Haswell’s place, on West Main street, on the same street Uniquely Yours and Lindsey’s bakery are. They had local residents bring in their corn and pumpkins (many cut into jack o’lanterns) for a show.  In coming years local retailers set up booths making the Pumpkin Show a growing festival.  In 1905 the first merry go round was set up on the corner of Main and Scioto street.

 Later on the Mayor formed a permanent organization with a crew of volunteers to have an annual Pumpkin Show to promote and keep a better relationship with the residents and visitors of  the community. Also to encourage the rural importance of Pickaway County. They held a showcase of pumpkins, corn, grains, as well as school displays and arts and crafts that would be rewarded during the Pumpkin Show.

On August 8th, 1949 the non-profit organization the Circleville Pumpkin Show, inc. was established to have a more organized and better Pumpkin Show for the citizens.Any money gained by this organization was put to good use for the town.

 The Circleville Pumpkin Show is the sixth largest festival in the United States. It is dubbed “The greatest free show on earth.”And remains the same slogan today. 

Image from:    http://www.dispatch.com

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