Pumpkinfest is an annual fundraising event supporting the Pony Express Museum. The festival is FREE, family focused, and provides ongoing entertainment for both children and adults. Venues including the stage near the Museum's boardwalk and directly across the street on the Patee Park grounds. Children's activities include crafts, games, a wandering magician, balloon man, storytelling, and much, much more. Music fills the air, the petting zoo and pony rides offer close encounters with all sorts of animals, and the carnival provides thrills and chills to those up to seeking excitement! Several food trucks keep their customers satisfied, and vendors of all sorts display their wares and crafts for those looking for a personal or one of a kind item for themselves or others. The highlight of Pumpkinfest kicks off at 8 pm on Friday evening, when a special guest flips the switch to electrically illuminate over 800 hand-carved or decorated pumpkins stacked five tiers tall to magically bring Pumpkin Mountain to its full glory in front of the Museum's boardwalk. Spectators sit on hay bales to take in all of the fun held on the stage each day. We re-light Pumpkin Mountain again on Saturday, providing yet another opportunity for folks to enjoy the spectacular sight! Pumpkinfest supports the slower months of operations for the Pony Express Museum.
