Sycamore Pumpkin Fest on horizon

Ryan Russo, 11, a Tenderfoot with Sycamore Boy Scout Troop 40, helps his sister, 2-year-old Katie Houdek, carry a pumpkin Saturday during the free pumpkin giveaway sponsored by Denis Jagodzinski, owner and insurance agent at American Family Insurance, 116 W. State St. in Sycamore.

The insurance agency’s parking lot was turned into a make-shift pumpkin patch and families could choose one pumpkin of assorted size and shape per child. Sycamore Boy Scout Troop 40 assisted during the event by helping families carry pumpkins to their cars. Jagodzinski has purchased pumpkins for children to paint and carve for the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival since 1986.

Each year, Jagodzinski purchases five to six tons of pumpkins from Theis Farm in Maple Park.

“It’s my way to show my appreciation and to say thank you to the community,” he said. “This town gives me something every day. It’s my way to give back.”

The 54th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival will be held in downtown Sycamore from Wednesday through Sunday. This year’s theme is “Pumpkins in Disguise.”