National Travel & Tourism Week: Pumpkinpalooza Sees Success in Inaugural Year

Pumpkinpalooza sees success in inaugural year

Editor’s note: In celebration of National Tourism Week, the Starkville Daily News is publishing a series of articles examining different aspects of tourism and various tourism events and attractions locally. With the season opening for the Starkville Community Market set this week, today’s installment focuses on the Downtown Pumpkinpalooza, an event in which the market plays a key role.


Starkville began a new tradition this past October that combined various aspects of the community into one successful celebration.

Planned to be held annually in conjunction with a home MSU football game closest to Halloween, 2009 saw the first-ever Downtown Pumpkinpalooza in Starkville.

Sponsored by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, Starkville Downtown Business Association and the Starkville Community Market, the event was a huge success, bringing more than 2,000 people to the streets of Starkville.

This local event was held the night prior to a Mississippi State University home football game, and provided visiting fans and local residents a family-friendly event to celebrate the fall season.

This year, the event will be held Oct. 29 prior to MSU’s home football game against the University of Kentucky.

Main Street is to be closed from 4 to 8 p.m. between Jackson and Washington streets, offering a street fair atmosphere for children, families, MSU football fans and Starkville residents of all ages.

Downtown merchants extend their hours so children can trick-or-treat to each store, Starkville Area Arts Council sponsors a pumpkin painting contest for children, and a pumpkin patch with locally grown pumpkins provides the center of activities on Main Street.

Starkville Community Market vendors set-up Friday evening selling their fall produce, breads, pies, and other treats. Street musicians perform along Main Street, and inflatable jumpers are on-hand for children.

Restaurants on Main Street offer dinner specials for children wearing costumes, and Main Street merchants go all-out for a competitive window decorating contest.

Festivities kick-off at 6 p.m. with a pep rally to cheer on the Bulldogs featuring Mississippi State cheerleaders, pom squad, and Bully.

Downtown Pumpkinpalooza T-shirts are available for purchase, and pumpkins may be purchased from the pumpkin patch. Parents are encouraged to bring your camera for pictures in the pumpkin patch.