Pumpkinfest 2019
Providing neighborhood children with a fun-filled Fall day in Allegheny Commons East Park for 28 years.
About the project
We believe that giving children a day to just be kids is priceless: Picking a pumpkin, running through fallen leaves, playing games and singing songs. We also believe that socioeconomic status shouldn't get in the way of that. Pumpkinfest was created 28 years ago to benefit the children of East Allegheny. Today, with nearly 1.800 children from all over the Northside attending this one-day festival, we've grown to become the largest children's harvest festival in the city of Pittsburgh
We set a record last year for highest number of attendees at more than 5,500 children and their family members. We estimate that a large percentage of the children are from low-income Northside families. Entrance is a suggested donation, and once inside, all activities are free. Throughout the park, children are exposed to sights, sounds and experiences that they otherwise may not be. From petting zoos to inflatable jumpers, pumpkin decorating contest and music, Pumpkinfest is a full day of hands-on fun. Families leave armed with information, resources and more thanks to our Health Fair and the 40+ nonprofit and social service groups that participate.
We invite neighbors, partners, stakeholders and those invested in children to help us provide the best possible!
The Steps
We start planning Pumpkinfest more than 6 months in advance. Once we receive donor funds from ioby, we are able to:
-Finalize our bookings: This includes our inflatables, rock climbing wall, and table and tent rentals.
-Book our on-stage entertainment: We can pay for our musical acts, puppet show and sound manager
-Purchase event essentials, like wristbands, public safety officers, etc.
-Pay for other items that go directly to the kids: pumpkins, kid treats, cinch sacks and more
Why we‘re doing it
On a larger level, Historic Deutschtown and the entire Northside benefit from Pumpkinfest. Because whenever a community invests time, resources and love into children and their families, that community is thriving. When children are having fun and learning, expending creativity and just being kids in a safe, supportive environment, everyone wins. The beauty of this festival is in its reach; it’s not just limited to Historic Deutschtown. We have generations of families who attend this event, and it’s neat to have them share in this celebration in a lasting, memory-making way.