Romulus residents celebrate 26th Annual Pumkin Festival

    Thousands of people lined Goddard Road last Friday as the traditional Parade of Lights organized by

the Romulus Rotary Club officially opened the 26th Annual Pumpkin Festival. The festival, which drew a large crowd to Historical Park last weekend, featured live entertainment, music, food, crafts and vendors along with games and a Classic Car Show. “Our Downtown Festival is a celebration of friends and family; a harvest celebration that generates an enthusiastic spirit and regenerates our sense of community,” said officials from the Downtown Development Authority which organizes the event.

Preparations for Annual Pumpkin Festival under way

The 25th annual Romulus Pumpkin Festival, a three-day event that begins on the third Friday in September each year, will take place next weekend, Sept. 15, 16 and 17 at Romulus Historical Park located at 11147 Hunt St.

The event will begin Friday evening with the traditional Rotary Club Festival of Lights where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to wait for the vehicles to pass by during the event. Information about the parade rules and entry requirements is available on the Romulus Rotary Facebook page or email Romulus.rotary@gmail.com. 

Pumpkin Fest artwork sought

Members of the Romulus Arts Council are looking for art for the annual Romulus Pumpkin Festival digital guide. Each year, the first-place student art entry is chosen for the cover of the guide and the second and third place winners and two honorable mentions included in the publication.  The first-place winner also receives $200, the second-place winner is awarded $150 and the third place winner will receive $100. The two honorable mention entries each receive $50, officials said. 

All students who are Romulus residents are eligible to enter including those from pre-school through grade 12 for the 24th anniversary pumpkin festival guide. 

Annual Romulus Pumpkin Festival set for Sept. 17, 18 and 19

Another step out of the shadow of the COVID pandemic is planned in Romulus with the 23rd Annual Pumpkin Festival set for Sept. 17, 18 and 19 this year.

The festival is a three-day event that traditionally begins the third Friday in September with the Rotary Club Parade of Lights, where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to view the parade, organizers said. This year, as always, there is no registration fee to enter the parade, although preregistration is required. All entries must be decorated with working lights, “the more the better” according to Rotary Club members.

The street festival offers music, food, crafts, and games for all ages, explained Merrie Dryor, director of activities and TIFA for the Romulus Downtown Development Authority. The Pumpkin Festival also includes a Classic Car Show, Craft and Vendor Show and live music, along with other events, games and activities.

Pumpkin Festival: Annual Romulus celebration set

The 22nd Annual Romulus Pumpkin Festival will celebrate the history and spirit of the community tomorrow and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21, with entertainment and events designed to please all ages and interests.
Some of the most popular events at the parade are the annual culinary contests which allow area residents to submit their finest canned goods, pies and sunflowers for honors.
The winners of those various contests will all be announced as part of the festival at 12:30 Saturday, Sept. 20 in the Hospitality Tent.  Entries in those contests celebrating the harvests of tomatoes, green beans, pickles and fruits delivered their entries in the contest to the Romulus Senior Center today.