Hundreds of “Pumpkin Inventions” entrants will be on display during Sycamore’s annual Pumpkin Festival at the DeKalb County Courthouse near the intersection of State and Main streets in downtown Sycamore.
Activities are planned for every day of the festival, lasting from Wednesday through Sunday, with shuttle buses planned for Saturday, the peak craft show day, and Sunday, the day of the parade.
Wednesday, Oct. 22
• The Wally “Mr. Pumpkin” Thurow Tribute Statue unveiling will be held at 4 p.m. at the southwest corner of Somonauk and Elm streets.
• Lions Club’s pumpkin check-in will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.
• The opening ceremony will start at 5 p.m. on North Maple Street, adjacent to the courthouse. It will include the ceremony for the cutting of the giant cake donated by Hy-Vee.
• NIU STEM Outreach will present a Haunted Physics Lab from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St. The event is free. For information, visit www.mmnh.org.
Thursday, Oct. 23
• Sycamore Kiwanis will host a prayer breakfast at 7 a.m. at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave.
• Pumpkin displays can be viewed on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse on State Street.
• A free Pumpkin Celebration will be held at Sycamore Public Library at 7 p.m. Children in kindergarten through fifth-grade can enjoy games, story time and treats.
• Entries close for the Sycamore Golf Club Pumpkin Scramble, which will be held Saturday. Call 815-895-3884 to register.
Friday, Oct. 24
• Pumpkin displays can be viewed on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse on State Street.
• A craft show will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave. Food also will be available.
• The teen carnival will be open from 2 to 10 p.m. at Sacramento and State streets. A $25 unlimited ride special is available. Check for times at the carnival.
• The kiddie carnival for young children will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. at the parking lot at Somonauk and Elm streets. A $25 ride special is available. Check for times at the carnival.
Saturday, Oct. 25
• Rotary Pancake Breakfast will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Federated Church at 612 W. State St.
• Pumpkin displays can be viewed on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse on State Street.
• The Sycamore Rugby Club will offer pork shanks from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. across from the courthouse.
• A craft show will be hosted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Sycamore United Methodist Church at 160 Johnson Ave. Food also will be available.
• The Autumn Craft & Treasures Market, hosted by Sycamore Music Boosters, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sycamore High School Field House.
• The Lions Club giant pumpkin weigh-in will begin at 10 a.m. on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse on State Street.
• The Sycamore Golf Club Pumpkin Scramble will begin at 10 a.m. at the Sycamore Golf Club, 940 E. State St. Registration entries close the Thursday before.
• The Historic Homes Walk will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $25 each or $40 for two. They are available at the Sycamore History Museum, 1730 N. Main St.; Sweet Earth, 341 W. State St., and at each home on the walk. Children age 12 and younger get in free.
• The DeKalb County Shrine Club will offer pork chop sandwiches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a booth downtown.
• A beef burger luncheon will be served from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by church members at Bethel Assembly of God at 131 W. Elm St.
• The teen carnival will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Sacramento and State streets. A $25 ride special is available. Check for times at the carnival.
• The kiddie carnival for young children will be held from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. at the parking lot at Somonauk and Elm streets. A $25 ride special is available. Check for times at the carnival.
• Basically Bluegrass Band will play from noon to 3 p.m. at the courthouse.
• Pumpkin Putt Mini Golf, a fundraiser for the Sycamore Public Library, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the library. Tickets cost $10 per person or $25 per family.
• The South Shore Drill Team will perform at 2 p.m. in the 100 block of Somonauk Street. Sponsored by KishHealth System, Hauser-Ross Eye Institute and ServiceMaster.
• The Kiwanis will host a pie-eating contest at 4 p.m. on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse on State Street.
• A Creepy Crawly Halloween Party will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St. Children can trick-or-treat, have a photo taken with live critters, visit the grossology lab, and enjoy games, candy and prizes. Tickets cost $6 for museum members and $8 for nonmembers. For information, visit www.mmnh.org.
• Sycamore Public Library will host Scary Stories at 6 p.m. in the Elmwood Cemetery, corner of Charles and Elmwood streets. Bring chairs, blankets and flashlights. Recommended for middle-school age and older.
Sunday, Oct. 26
• Pumpkin displays can be viewed on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse on State Street.
• The Sycamore Rugby Club will offer pork shanks from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. across from the courthouse.
• The Autumn Craft & Treasures Market, hosted by Sycamore Music Boosters, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sycamore High School Field House.
• The Sycamore Pumpkin Run 10K Road Race starts at 9:35 a.m. at the Sycamore Armory. For information, visit sycamorepumpkinrun10k.wordpress.com.
• The teen carnival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sacramento and State streets. A $25 ride special is available. Check for times at the carnival.
• The kiddie carnival for young children will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the parking lot at Somonauk and Elm streets. A $25 ride special is available. Check for times at the carnival.
• The DeKalb County Shrine Club will offer pork chop sandwiches from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a booth downtown.
• A beef burger luncheon will be served from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by church members at Bethel Assembly of God at 131 W. Elm St.
• St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will host a food booth from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 218 Somonauk St.
• A food booth hosted by St. Mary’s Catholic Church will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Waterman and Somonauk streets.
• The Pumpkin Parade will begin at 1 p.m. A handicapped-parking area is located at the corner of Exchange and Main streets. A viewing area for the handicapped has been established at the intersection of State and Main streets. The parade route follows Somonauk, Elm, California, State and Main streets. All of these streets will be posted “No Parking.”