I live in a little borough called Houston, Pa. They’ve had a Pumpkin Festival for as long as I can remember. When my kids were young, it was basically a food and craft fair along the main street.
Years later it got much bigger, with pumpkins painted on the road and cornstalks on every pole. The American Legion began to host it on their grounds at some point because it got so large. The local paper reports that it is in its 29th year and is a fundraiser for the Houston Volunteer Fire Department, contributing about 60% to their total yearly budget.
About 10 years ago I moved to a house here in this borough when the boys dad and I split up. At that point I’d not attended the festival for years nor paid much attention to it.
Several months later, one morning in October, to my surprise, I awoke to all sorts of people and tractors and floats and what-have-you combing the neighborhood. At first I wondered what in the world was going on!!
Then I realized….OH…now Houston has a PARADE ? And…the tail end of it forms on the street below me? Live and learn ( smile ) The beginning forms up at the high school ….and the marching band is the first attraction to come through.
For instance, here is a float right outside my house this weekend….
I remember years ago when my son was in his teens and had been out late on a Friday night…….and woke to the marching band and then fire engines blaring their sirens two streets up for what seemed to be hours on end to him . He was not happy. No sleeping in on parade day!
This year he’s all grown up and standing on the street with his little son. How time flies……
The pumpkin festival is two fold. At the legion, for three days, are activities, crafts and food booths. We went there on Friday afternoon.
Saturday morning the family came over for a hearty breakfast, friends came over a bit later, and then we all walked up to the main street to view the parade. The children were so excited!
The morning had been quite chilly…there was a heavy frost. Later on in the afternoon it warmed up to close to 70 degrees.
After the parade the children’s mama had to work and their dad needed to catch up on sleep ( Midnight shift )
My youngest son and I took them out to Springhouse Market for more fall fun. By the end of that visit, all winter coats and hats had been shed and the kids were enjoying an ice cream cone to cool off!
Changeable weather but that’s fall / not complaining….I love fall , don’t you ?
*NOTE : Just about every post on my blog is linked to some party or another throughout the week. Party buttons are permanently on my sidebar…if you have not visited some of them yet please do so.
The Pumpkin festival parade looks like fun, lots of wonderful photos. I am sure the children loved see the neat floats. Great post, wishing you a happy week ahead.
I love parades and I think our town is having soon. Thanks for sharing.
Kim,USA
There is nothing like small town America. You are blessed.
It looks like a wonderful time!
Who doesn’t love a parade – makes one think of simpler but great times.
Yes, I love parades too!
What a sweet glimpse of your life. It looks like a special day and loads of fun!
I’ve been to the Houston festival and always enjoyed it, never got to see the parade though which looks like fun! Loved the crafts in the Legion grounds when I was into them. Do they still have the resale shop?
Thanks for sharing and bringing back fall memories!
Do you mean that Consignment shop across from the Legion? Yes….I stop in there alot! :)
Love all your pictures as always! And I think this is awesome that they community does this to support the volunteer fire department!
I love parades! I think my favorite is when my former town of Morgan Hill, CA hosted an evening parade through downtown. It was so much different in the dusk than during the day.
What a beautiful slice of classic Americana! This adventure also brings to life your statement that you live an “ordinary life made extraordinary by grandchildren.” The day wouldn’t have been half the fun without them involved!
Joyce is so right! Grandchildren make any event so much better! Even the grocery store! And certainly a parade! What could be better than to see it though their eyes!
Such fun. I love the smaller parades far more than the big affairs typical of my city. Gimme a hometown parade marching down Main Street any day.
You are so right, we all love a parade! Thanks for sharing at The Gathering Spot.
gosh, I haven’t been to a parade in I don’t know how long. We always had parades in the small town I grew up in and often were in them. They are fun! Thanks for linking with me :)
What a fun event and great tradition! I showed this off on my blog tonight!
Carlee
http://www.ladybirdln.com