The Great Cortland Pumpkinfest was held on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8, in Courthouse Park, where the atmosphere was all about autumn and Halloween.
Festivities included live music, delicious food, a pumpkin decorating contest, and dozens of different vendors selling everything from jewelry and clothes to home décor. Many of the items for sale were themed around the autumn season and Halloween.
“It seems like there’s a lot of different vendors here, a lot of different choices,” said Victoria Tiebor, owner of Victoria’s Pearls on the Halfshell. Tiebor and her company were first time vendors at the Pumpkinfest. Her company is based near Buffalo, but she said she came after hearing about the event.
“We heard a lot of good things about this festival and decided to bring our pearls to the people of Cortland," Tiebor said. "It’s turned out to be a great opportunity.”
Families, college students and Cortland residents were all in attendance. Paige Potter is a lifelong Cortland resident who recently enrolled as a freshman at SUNY Cortland. She’s been coming to Pumpkinfest since she was two years old. Her favorite part about the festival is the pumpkin decorating contest.
“I like watching people paint them and create something,” Potter said.
The live music was definitely a hit. Not once was the area near the stage empty. Bands of all music styles performed and shared their talents, from country to rock music.
Another big hit was a performance by the Cortland Performing Arts Theatredanz Company, which performed a dance routine to the tune of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” When the routine was finished, the dance company invited kids to come up and dance with them.
There were also pony rides for kids to enjoy and a pumpkin decorating contest. The contest was judged in different age groups, with three winners in each age group being chosen.
Pumpkinfest was a great festival that offered a variety of different activities for all age groups. Hopefully, next year’s Pumpkinfest will be just as fun, if not more.
