The Market Place was transformed into a sea of orange as thousands of people from around South Holland and beyond joined in the celebrations to honour the wonderful pumpkin.
Hundreds of youngsters and many in their senior years were kitted out in pumpkin fashion, the Sheep Market was thriving with stalls and nearby shops were bedecked in pumpkin paraphernalia.
Many families joined in the spectacle of the Pumpkin Parade, headed by Flower Queen Daisy Ivatt as lantern-holding youngsters lit up the darkness while touring the town.
Up to 10,000 people in total took part in the festival during the whole day with between 1,500 and 2,000 joining the parade and an estimated crowd of between 6,000 and 8,000 joining the event in the evening.
Food, fancy dress, pumpkin carving, entertainment including music and drama were all part of thrilling itinerary of entertainment.
The night’s activities reached a dramatic finale with fireworks launched from above the South Holland Centre before The Wild Boys rounded off a mouth-watering series of musical entertainment.
South Holland District Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Nick Worth said: “This was a real treat for all the family to enjoy. A celebration of the harvest and all that is good in South Holland.”
Grower David Bowman is the UK’s biggest producer of pumpkins, producing more than two million every year to supply supermarkets up and down the country. He gives away hundreds of pumpkins away at the festival every year.
The event began in October 2000 and has been held annually since with the town mobilised into a march with a difference every autumn.
The Pumpkin Festival was organised by South Holland District Council, supported by The Rotary Club of Welland Centenary and Spalding Lions. The event was sponsored by David Bowman Ltd and compered by Tulip Radio.
