Union Grove is a continually growing and developing city that is about 25 miles southwest of Milwaukee. For over two decades the Union Grove Chamber of Commerce has been celebrating the transition to fall with a festival. Thousands of people from the community and Midwestern United States descend on Union Grove for this fun festival. At its inception, the festival was a small event celebrating the community and the changing of the season. As the years passed, the festival continued to grow until 2014, when they decided to expand into the fun, scientific and entertaining world of pumpkin chuckin'. Contestants put their ingenuity and imagination to the test as they attempt to build machines that will hurl eight to ten pound pumpkins. The world of pumpkin chuckin' has grown significantly over the past decade and impressive records have been set in all mechanical device categories. The world record distances for catapults and trebuchets reach over 2,800 feet!
This year the festival has added the Kansas City BBQ Cook-off competition. You know they mean business when they gained certification from the Kansas City BBQ Society. This is not the only competition taking place at this festival. You’ll love watching the pie eating contest, pumpkin baking competition and costume wearing contest. This festival truly has something for everyone that attends regardless of age. ResortsandLodges got the opportunity to interview Jennifer Ditscheit, the Executive Director of the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, about the festival.
RAL: How long has the festival been running?
JD: The Great Pumpkin Fest (it’s original name) has been around for almost 20 years. Initially it was a small community event held in one of our school gymnasiums. Last year we decided to grow the event and add a Pumpkin Chuckin' competition to help the schools with their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) initiative and increase attendance.
RAL: How many people annually attend and who are they?
JD: Originally we had about 300 people attend the event. Last year we had approximately 3,000 attend the six-hour event! This year we have increased the event to two days and added a Kansas City Barbeque Society Sanctioned BBQ competition “The Best of the Midwest”. We are expecting to at least double last year’s attendance. The event is geared toward families, but there is something for everyone to enjoy.
RAL: What is a typical day at the festival like and are there any guest appearances?
JD: Both days are packed with things to do! On both days we will have: kids activities & games, carnival rides, potato launchers, barrel rides, vendors, food, and beer. On Saturday, BBQ Teams will be competing in “The Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off”, an adult costume contest, adult pie eating contest and live music at night. On Sunday, there is a People’s choice chili cook-off, pumpkin baking contest, kids costume contest, and a parade. Of course it would not be the Great Pumpkin Chuckin' Fest without teams launching pumpkins throughout both days of the Fest!
We are very excited about this; Captain Jack Sparrow and some of his mates will be helping us with the kids costume contest and parade on Sunday!
RAL: Tell me about the local lodging.
JD: The area has a lot of lodging available within the Village of Union Grove, and visitors can request lodging from Shepherds College which several suites available for guests. Within a half hour ride, there are several unique Bed & Breakfasts including Cedar Creek Inn in Waterford, The Christmas House and Lochnaiar Inn which are both in Racine and the Lily Lake Resort in Burlington.
RAL: What does the festival mean to the community?
JD: The community loves the Great Pumpkin Chuckin' Fest! Not only does it give our local schools a chance to flex their STEM muscles but it lets us showcase our community to the outside. And of course the increase of tourism to our neighborhood helps our local economy.
RAL: Why should people come to the festival?
JD: Flying Pumpkins and BBQ! Where else are you going to have those two things together? All kidding aside there is truly something for everyone! For contests we have: Adult & Kid- Pie eating; Adult & Kids -costume; Pumpkin Chuckin'; Best of the Midwest BBQ; People’s Choice Chili Cook-Off, and Pumpkin Baking contests. You can either enter to win or just enjoy being a spectator. There is a lot of other things going on too including carnival rides, kids games, kids’ activities, pumpkin bowling, potato launcher challenge – Music on Saturday Night and a Kids costume parade on Sunday. No kids? Did I mention, we have some of the best “FAIR” foods & merchant vendors registered for the event. All with no gate charge and free parking! We hope to see you there!
For more information on this festival please visit their website.