62nd Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival 2023

The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival takes place in downtown Sycamore, Illinois, near the corners of Main & State Street, with much of the festivities happening on the courthouse lawn and surrounding town square.

This year’s theme is “Pumpkins of History.”

About the Event

What started out as an idea by Wally Thurow in 1956 to offer something creative for the students of Sycamore has grown from a neighborhood display on his front yard into the town’s biggest city-wide event, beginning on Wednesday with the Opening Ceremony and cake cutting and concluding on Sunday afternoon with a parade.

The festival has over 1000 entries in the Lions Club Decorated Pumpkin Display, two carnivals, many not-for-profit vendors, three indoor craft shows, Saturday entertainment, and various activities, and it concludes on Sunday with a 90-minute parade.  

2023 Schedule: Activities

Saturday – October 21ST

• Free Pumpkin Distribution – Starting at 10 am by the Wally Thurow Tribute Statue at the SW corner of Elm and Somonauk. Compliments of the Sycamore Lions Club and Theis Farm Market.

Wednesday – October 25th

• Pumpkin Check-in – 12 noon to 9 pm Courthouse Lawn. Hosted by the Sycamore Lions.
• Opening / Giant Cake Cutting Ceremony – 5 pm North Maple Street adjacent to the Courthouse. Cake compliments of HyVee.

Thursday – October 26th

• Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast – 7 to 9 am United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Avenue
• Trick or Treat Event 4:30 to 6:30 pm Along State St.
• Pumpkin Celebrations – 4 to 7 pm All things PUMPKIN! Crafts, games, treats and other fun. Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St.

Friday – October 27th

• Teen Carnival (Sacramento & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) – 3 pm to 10 pm  ($35 unlimited ride special from 4-8 pm)
• United Methodist Church Craft Show, Friday – 11 am to 5:30 pm 

Saturday – October 28th

• Sycamore Rotary Pancake Breakfast – 7 to 11 am St. Mary’s Parish Activity Center, 312 Waterman St.
• Burgers & Soup Luncheon – 10 am to 5 pm Burgers, hot dogs, sloppy joes, soups, baked goods, drinks. Bethel Assembly of God Church, 131 West Elm St.
• Lions Club Pumpkin Display Awards – 10 am Courthouse Lawn
• Face Painting – Sycamore High Art Club, 10 am to 2 pm at the Kiddie Carnival.
• Historic Homes Tour – 10 am to 5 pm Hosted by DeKalb County History Center Tickets: $20/person Available after October 15 at DCHC or Made Just for You, or at any home on the day of the tour. Visit  https://dekalbcountyhistory.org/ for more information.
• Pumpkin 4-Person Golf Scramble – 11 am Sycamore Golf Course, 940 E. State Street – Registration information – (815) 895-3884
• Pumpkin Festival Marquee Entertainment (Sponsored by Lovett’s Towing & Recovery and Meijer) North Food Court
• – Deb “The Frog Lady” 11:30 am
• – Sycamore Performing Arts Academy 1:00 pm
• – Jeanie B! Family Music Entertainment 2:00 pm
• Autumn Craft / Treasures Market, Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm
• United Methodist Church Craft Show, 9 am to 4 pm
• ACS – Cornerstone Craft Show, 9 am to 5 pm
• Teen Carnival (Sacramento & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) – 12 noon to 10 pm ($30 unlimited ride special 12 noon – 4 pm and $35 unlimited ride special 5-9 pm)
• Sycamore Kiwanis Pie Eating Contest – 4 pm Courthouse Lawn

Sunday – October 29th

• Sycamore Chamber 10K Pumpkin Run – Race Starts at 9:05 am at the Sycamore Armory Sycamore Pumpkin Run
• Teen Carnival (Sacramento & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) – 12 noon to 5 pm ($30 unlimited ride special from 12 noon to 4 pm)
• Autumn Craft / Treasures Market, 9 am to 2 pm
• Pumpkin Festival Parade – (Sponsored by Ideal Industries and Upstaging). Parade kicks off at 1 pm Somonauk – Elm – California – State & Main Streets.

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