Pumpkin Fest 2021 heads back in time for 60th annual Sycamore festival

SYCAMORE – After not being able to celebrate the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year Sycamore will travel backward in time for some old-fashioned fun.

“Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Festival” is this year’s festival theme, named by Harper Freiberg, 9, a third grader at North Grove Elementary School. The 60th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival is scheduled to be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 31.

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Harper Freiberg, a third grader at North Grove Elementary School, pictured, won the 2021 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Theme Contest with her entry "Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Festival." (Katrina Milton)

The winning theme was announced Wednesday evening on the DeKalb County Courthouse steps.

Harper’s theme was chosen from 108 total entries submitted by students from seven Sycamore schools and homeschooled students.

In her entry submission, Harper said that the reason she chose “Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Festival” was “because we make our pumpkins something from Sycamore history.”

Harper paints a pumpkin every year for the pumpkin decorating contest and said she is excited for the festival this year.

The two honorable mention award-winners are Elyce Marie Smith, a homeschooled second grader, with her entry “Pumpkin Explorers,” and Brody Caldwell, a kindergartner at North Elementary School, with his entry “Hometown Pumpkins.”

During Wednesday’s announcement ceremony, the winner of the theme contest received a $50 check and a festival cinch bag. The winner’s school will receive a $100 check to be used for student enrichment. The two honorable mention award recipients received a $25 check and a festival cinch bag. All 17 theme contest finalists received a certificate of appreciation and commemorative postcards.

The winner and two honorable mention award recipients will help cut the pumpkin festival cake, which signifies the start of the fest, and will ride in the pumpkin festival theme winner vehicle during the parade. Last year’s winners will be invited to participate in this year’s celebrations and will be recognized.

The parade’s grand marshal and Friend of the Festival will be announced at a later date.

Jennifer Diehl, president of the pumpkin fest committee, said that announcing this year’s theme “is the start of the 60th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.”

“I think everyone is really excited for pumpkin fest this year,” she said. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back to normal.”

Marianne Vogel, secretary of the pumpkin fest committee, said that the festival will take place “in accordance to CDC and DeKalb County Health Department mitigations.”

“The festival is a town-wide celebration, with kids getting the Friday and Monday off of school and families participating in the parade with their organizations,” she said. “Everyone comes to Sycamore for Pumpkin Fest. It’s a big, happy family event we look forward to all year long.”

For information about the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, visit www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.