Sycamore Pumpkin Festival - 2019

Oct. 23 - 27, 2019

Schedule of Events 

This years theme is Wild West Pumpkin Festival.

Printable Schedule available here =>

Saturday -  October 19th

Ghost Stories in the Park - 5  p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sycamore Park Community Center.   A  fun, festive and even a bit frightening evening awaits. Celebrate  the season with activities, demonstrations, photo booth, crafts, and  ghost stories. (Ghost stories will be on the Patio with Phyllis  Horst from 6-6:45).

Free Pumpkin Distribution -  Compliments of Denis and Jill Jagodzinski, at 10AM by the Wally  Thurow Tribute Statue at the corner of Elm and Somonauk. 

Wednesday -  October 23rd

Pumpkin Check-in - Courthouse  Lawn - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Sycamore  Lions

Lions Food Trailer – Hot  Dogs, BBQ, Hamburgers, Brats, Pork Chops, Snacks, Drinks & Pumpkin  Pie. Corner of Maple and State - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Opening / Giant Cake Cutting Ceremony  (Cake donated by Hy-Vee) North Maple Street  adjacent to the Courthouse - 5 p.m.

Thursday -  October 24th

Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast -  United Methodist Church (160 Johnson Avenue) - 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Lions' Pumpkin Display - On  the Courthouse Lawn

Pumpkin Celebration - Games,  story time & treats, for K thru 5th grade, at the Sycamore Public  Library (wear your costume!) -  6:00 p.m.

Lions Food Trailer – Hot  Dogs, BBQ, Hamburgers, Brats, Pork Chops, Snacks, Drinks & Pumpkin  Pie. Corner of Maple and State - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday - October  25th

Lions' Pumpkin Display -  On the Courthouse Lawn

Sycamore Kiwanis –  Cinnamon Roasted Nuts & Bubble Tea in North Food Court - 2 p.m. to 8  p.m.

Royal Rangers -  Pumpkin Festival buttons, patches and hats - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Teen Carnival (Sacramento  & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) - 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.  (The Friday $25 ride special is from 3 p.m. - 7p.m.)

United Methodist Church Craft Show (free  parking, food available) - "50 Quality Crafters" located at 160  Johnson Ave. - 11a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Food and Free Parking Available

ABC Preschool -  Pumpkin Festival Flags sold at Paulson Appliance, Sweet Earth &  United Methodist Church Craft Show – Noon – 4 p.m. 

Stainless Steel Tumblers  - in front of Blue Moon Bikes and at the Bethel Assembly Church - 4  p.m.-8 p.m.

Cockroaches and Reptiles!  - At the South Food Court (sponsored by the Midwest Museum of  Natural History)

Lions Food Trailer – Hot  Dogs, BBQ, Hamburgers, Brats, Pork Chops, Snacks, Drinks & Pumpkin  Pie. Corner of Maple and State - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday October  26th

Sycamore Rotary Pancake Breakfast -  St. Mary's Parish Center, 312 Waterman Street - 7 a.m. to noon.

Lions' Pumpkin Display -  On the Courthouse Lawn

Royal Rangers -  Pumpkin Festival buttons, patches and hats - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Autumn Craft / Treasures Market hosted  by the Sycamore Music Boosters at the Sycamore High School - 9 a.m.  to 5 p.m.

United Methodist Church Craft Show -  "50 Quality Crafters" located at 160 Johnson Ave. - 9 a.m. to 4  p.m.  Food and Free Parking Available

Cornerstone Christian Academy Craft  and Vendor Show – 355 N Cross Street - 9  a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Odd Fellows – ¼lb  hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chili, pulled pork, nachos, French  fries, onion rings, cookies and drinks from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

ABC Preschool - Pumpkin  Festival Flags sold at United Methodist Church, Sweet Earth &   Paulson Appliance – Noon to 4 p.m.

Lions Club Pumpkin Display Awards -  Courthouse Lawn 10 a.m.

Lions Food Trailer – Hot  Dogs, BBQ, Hamburgers, Brats, Pork Chops, Snacks, Drinks & Pumpkin  Pie. Corner of Maple and State - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pumpkin 4-person Golf Scramble -  Sycamore Golf Course, 940 E. State Street - 10 a.m. (Registration  information - 815-895-3884)

Face Painting -  Sycamore High Art Club, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Kiddie Carnival. 

DeKalb County History Center Historic  Homes Tour - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Tickets - $25  per person, or $40 for 2 people. Tickets are available at the DeKalb  County History Center (1730 N. Main), the Sycamore Chamber Office,  Sweet Earth Jewelry, and at each home on the day of the walk.   (For more information call 815-895-5762). 

Teen Carnival (Sacramento  & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) - 12 p.m. to 10p.m. (The Saturday $25 ride special is from Noon - 4 p.m.)

Sycamore Kiwanis –  Cinnamon Roasted Nuts & Bubble Tea in North Food Court – 9 a.m. to 9  p.m.

The DeKalb County Shrine Club -  pork chop sandwiches in front of PJ's Courthouse Tavern and Grill  - 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.

Burgers & Soup Luncheon -  Bethel Assembly of God Church - 131 West Elm St. - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sycamore Rugby Club -  Pork Shanks, Mac & Cheese (across from the courthouse) - 10 a.m. to  5 p.m.

Stainless Steel Tumblers  - in front of Blue Moon Bikes and at the Bethel Assembly Church –  9a.m. - 5 p.m.

Marquee  Saturday Events - Sposored by First State  Bank, Old Second Bank and ServiceMaster by Skip.

·      Hermanos Escamilla – Trick Rope Show  – Performances at 11 a.m., 1 p.m.  and 3 p.m. in the North Food  Court

·      Pete Kovacevich - Stilt Walker/Juggler  from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

·      Jeff Bibek - Strolling Magician – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Cockroaches and Reptiles!  - At the South Food Court (sponsored by the Midwest Museum of  Natural History)

Sycamore Kiwanis Pie Eating Contest - Courthouse  Lawn 4 p.m.

Sycamore Angels Rebekah Lodge - Funnel  Cakes, Cotton Candy, Cinnamon Apples, Soups and Drinks in North Food  Court - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sycamore Elks – Pulled  Pork, Pulled Turkey, Chilli, Mac & Cheese, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans &  Chips - across from the Courthouse 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Aurora Christian /Cornerstone  Campus - Walking Taco's, drinks, baked goods in North Food Court  - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Moose Lodge of Sycamore –  Deep fried twinkies, Baked goods, beer battered brats, corn digs,  chili, pretzels, drinks - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Boy Scout Troop 16 -  Pulled pork sandwiches, pizza by the slice, hot dogs, baked beans,  baked goods, drinks in North Food Court - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Boy Scout Troop 40 -  Loaded Baked Potatoes, hot dogs, cookies, and drinks - 9 a.m. to 6  p.m.

St. Mary's Church Food Booth –  Baked goods, snacks, drinks, pizza, snow cones, and raffle in front  of Blue Moon Bikes from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

DeKalb Rotary - Brats,  hot dogs, drinks, raffle - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oaken Acres Wildlife Center -  Live birds on Saturday only, John Sloan Artwork, puzzles, cards,  calendars, notebooks, notepads, stationary, jewelry, cat toys,  feeders, handmade frogs, jewelry, soap, t-shirts, crochet items,  honey in front of Taxco - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

TAILS Humane Society- Sweat shirts, t-shirts, dog treats, dog clothing, bumper  stickers, hats, buttons, bow ties, brownies from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Gracie Center -  Popcorn and bottled water in the South Food Court from 8 a.m. - 5  p.m.

Cross Roads Community Church – Gift Baskets & Magnets 

Sunday October  27th

Lions' Pumpkin Display -  On the Courthouse Lawn

Autumn Craft & Treasures Market hosted  by the Sycamore Music Boosters at the Sycamore High School - 9 a.m.  to 4 p.m.

Sycamore Chamber 10,000 Meter Road Run – Race  Starts at 9:05 a.m. at the Sycamore Armory  Pumpkin  Festival Run Website

Teen Carnival (Sacramento  & State) & Kiddie Carnival (Somonauk & Elm) - 12 p.m. to 5  p.m. ($25 ride special, check carnival for times)

Royal Rangers -  Pumpkin Festival buttons, patches and hats - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Boy Scout Troop 40 -  Loaded Baked Potatoes, hot dogs, cookies, and drinks - 9 a.m. to 3  p.m.

Sycamore Rugby Club -  Pork Shanks, Mac & Cheese (across from the courthouse) - 10 a.m. to  1 p.m.

Sycamore Kiwanis –  Cinnamon Roasted Nuts & Bubble Tea in North Food Court – 9 a.m. to 2  p.m.

Odd Fellows – ¼lb  hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chili, pulled pork, nachos, French  fries, onion rings, cookies and drinks from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Boy Scout Troop 16 -  Pulled pork sandwiches, pizza by the slice, hot dogs, baked beans,  baked goods, drinks in North Food Court - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aurora Christian /Cornerstone  Campus - Walking Taco's, drinks, baked goods in North Food Court  - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beef Burger Luncheon - Bethel Assembly  of God Church - 131 West Elm St. - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The DeKalb County Shrine Club -  pork chop sandwiches - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Mary's Church Food Booth –  Baked goods, snacks, drinks, pizza, snow cones, and raffle in front  of Blue Moon Bikes from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lions Food Trailer – Hot  Dogs, BBQ, Hamburgers, Brats, Pork Chops, Snacks, Drinks & Pumpkin  Pie. Corner of Maple and State - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

St. Peter's Church Episcopal Church -  brats, hot dogs, candy, pumpkin squares and drinks (at 218 Somonauk  St.) - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sycamore Angels Rebekah Lodge - Funnel  Cakes, Cinnamon Apples, Cotton Candy, Soups and Drinks in North Food  Court 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sycamore Elks – Pulled  Pork, Pulled Turkey, Chilli, Mac & Cheese, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans &  Chips - across from the Courthouse 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Moose Lodge of Sycamore –  Deep fried twinkies, Baked goods, beer battered brats, corn digs,  chili, pretzels, drinks - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Oaken Acres Wildlife Center -  John Sloan Artwork, puzzles, cards, calendars, notebooks, notepads,  stationary, jewelry, cat toys, feeders, handmade frogs, jewelry,  soap, t-shirts, crochet items, honey in front of Taxco - 8 a.m. to 5  p.m.

Stainless Steel Tumblers  - in front of Blue Moon Bikes and at the Bethel Assembly Church – 9  a.m. - noon.

Sycamore VFW Auxiliary  - Info on VFW, patriotic coloring pages and small flags – 121 S.  California from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Pumpkin Festival Parade - Sponsored by Ideal Industries, Somonauk - Elm - California -  State & Main Streets.  Parade kicks off at 1 p.m.  Click  Here for Parade Page with Map

For full details of the Festival and to check for any changes in the schedule before attending, visit:  https://www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com/index.html

History of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival: Back in 1956, Wally Thurow, who is known as Sycamore’s "Mr. Pumpkin", began what was to become the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival when he displayed a few decorated pumpkins on his front lawn to turn Halloween into a time of fun and creativity. In 1962, through the efforts of Mr. Pumpkin and the Sycamore Lions Club, the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival became an official celebration in Sycamore.  

Every year, the Pumpkin Festival unites more than 30 DeKalb County non-profit groups working to provide a weekend of Halloween fun for all. The Courthouse lawn is the center of activities, including thousands of decorated pumpkins on display, there are also art and craft shows, a house walk, a pie eating contest, a carnival, a fun fair, a race and other events. The festival is concluded by a giant parade on Sunday afternoon. 

Throughout the festival, good autumn food, snacks and souvenirs are available at stands operated by various not-for-profit DeKalb County organizations.