Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin donuts, etc.
As evidenced by the disconnected omnipresence of pumpkin spice on fare and in grocery aisles , it ’s unmortgaged that dip has — unofficially — arrive . After all , the Starbucks calendar is more exact than the Gregorian . In addition to potable pumpkin , it ’s also the season for festivals oriented around the orange gourd , wherein quaint communities serve up pumpkin treats with all way of fanfare . And although pumpkin patch up and fall festival can be find all over the land , fromDallas - Fort WorthtoNew York City , there ’s one place in particular that hold the crown for the ultimate pumpkin fete : the Pumpkin Capital of the World , aka Morton , Illinois .
For the uninitiated , the central Illinois community of Morton is responsible for85 % of the Earth ’s canned pumpkin , which signify pumpkins far outnumber the hoi polloi in this city of 17,000 , and if they were ever to become sentient , its resident physician would have a big problem . It also intend it ’s the nexus of fall festivity , as the longtime home ofMorton Pumpkin Festival . This year ’s festival , require place September 11–14 , marks its 58th year of pumpkin merriment , and it ’s only grown over clock time to become a state fair - sized spectacle .
What startle in 1967 as a humble celebration of the harvest , and the canning season at local Libby ’s Pumpkin Plant , has evolve into a major money - maker for the community — and a core part of its identity , as the Governor declared it the Pumpkin Capital of the World in 1978 . now , a far cry from its modest root , the fete has more than 30 events and venues featured over the class of a few day , upwards of 75,000 attendant , and one-year themes — vote on by a very serious - vocalize Pumpkin Festival Advisory Committee — like Pumpkins Go Hollywood , Superhero Pumpkins , and this yr ’s : Farmin ’ Pumpkins .
Photo courtesy of Morton Pumpkin Festival
Over the track of the fest this yr , visitors can await parades , live music , pageants , competitions , costume , and of course , pumpkin - centric eats , include a pumpkin pancake breakfast , pumpkin cupcakes , Cucurbita pepo donuts , and a pumpkin drive - thru for one - the - go snack . There ’s also a funfair with Americana kitsch like clavus weenie and lemon shake - ups . Beyond the food , the fete features a pumpkin store filled with merch and swag , an arts and craft market , competitions like pie - eat contests and a Cucurbita pepo - decorating contest , and a Pumpkin Pride parade where everyone is advance to wear off orange . The festival is free to wait on , and tag can be purchased for circus rides and games .
Drive time
2 hours , 30 moment from Chicago3 hours from Indianapolis3 hour , 30 minutes from Milwaukee
What to Do Beyond the Pumpkin Festival
In case you are n’t pumpkin’d out from the festival , you could keep the report going with a visit toRoth Pumpkin Patch(opening on September 9 ) , unadulterated with a playground , barn snacks , pet zoo , and the chance to simulate milk a moo-cow . Ackerman Family Farmsis another festal option , ripe with calabash , speciality food , and even a sprawl maize maze .
It ’s notallpumpkins around here . The township of Morton is also filled with curated dress shop , many of which are decked out in pumpkin decor for the time of year .
The Nookfeatures all sorts of accessories , apparel , and housewares;Used But Not Abusedis a treasure treasure trove of vintage finds ; andLulu ’s on Mainis a family - well-disposed affair with toy , games , and puzzles aplenty .
For more family fun , theChildren ’s Discovery Museumin nearby Normal , is a great place to get hands - on and whimsical , with three floor of interactive edutainment and display . While slenderly less hands - on and whimsical , theRonald Reagan Museumin Eureka is another selection . Or there ’s thePeoria Riverfront Museum , a Brobdingnagian assembling that covers everything from the human heart to West African art .
feel the penury for outdoorsy escapade ? TheWildlife Prairie Parkhas everything from kayak rentals and phonograph record golf game to train rides and hiking trails . Come October , the common also features Wildlife Scary Park on weekend , with the likes of whoremaster - or - treating , hayrides , live medicine , and food for thought vendors .
Where to Eat and Drink
Morning : surface and beam with pumpkin deep brown chip scones and needful pumpkin spice lattes atFour30 Scones , or opt for pumpkin waffle — and pumpkin spice waffle nachos — atSucré .
dinner party : Office on Main is a frills - free pub that serves point like pumpkin chili and pumpkin vine pull pork , whileSchooners of Mortonoffers a abatement with things like breaded mushroom , wings , chicken tenders , and whitefish phonograph record . Seasons Gastropubis more modern-day , serve up craft beer and smoke meatloaf in rustic - chic environs .
brewery : For more beer unmediated from the source , confab nearby Peoria and stop byRhodell Brewery(where Guest can brew their own beer),Industry Brewing , orBust’d Brewing .
Photo courtesy of Morton Pumpkin Festival
Where to Stay in Morton
passably straight , the Morton area has all your standardbudget hotel chains , while the Cornerstone Inn — in nearby Washington — is a magic B&B in a historic construction where Abe Lincoln formerly carry meeting before he was President .
