Tuscola County Pumpkin Festival 4.42

Caro is the home of the Tuscola County Pumpkin Festival, an October tradition which was started in 1981 by a small group of local residents. Annually, the four-day festival attracts approximately 50,000 visitors. The Pumpkin Festival gets their pumpkins from the Jim Matuszak farm, which are then delivered to primary school youth in the area who decorate the pumpkins and submit them for display where they are judged in one of five competitive categories. In addition, the Pumpkin Festival Royal Court is selected based on the largest pumpkins grown.

In 1981 the Caro Chamber of Commerce board members set out to come up with new ideas to stimulate retail sales in Caro. Members starting asking around town and the idea of a Pumpkin Festival came from John Sauber and Gary Fulgham who were familiar with other pumpkin festivals. Carol Ellsworth, Ruby Reid, Alva Hayes, John Sauber and Gary Fulgham formed a committee and are now affectionately referred to as the "Original Five". Events were planned and $1,100 was raised. Pumpkins were grown by local farmers and given to school age children to decorate and return for display on the Tuscola County Courthouse lawn. This tradition continues today along with a carved pumpkin display which has added a new dimension. In the early days, giant pumpkin seeds were handed out at the local schools and large pumpkins were grown. A selection was then made from the largest grown pumpkin for the "Prince and Princess" of the festival. In early 1991 a contest was held to name the newly created mascot and the name Harvey was chosen. Harvey makes appearances at most events throughout the weekend.

The Caro Knights of Columbus along with local volunteers annually bake over 4,000 pumpkin pies as a fundraiser to support the festival. These wonderful, homemade pies draw crowds from throughout the state. The food court concept was started to serve the electrical power needs of the food vendors, which now draws visitors to gather and visit and enjoy many food favorites.

The Caro Rotary Club has hosted an all you can eat pancake and sausage dinner for many years. To accommodate the festival, the Rotary Club changed their event in 1983 to coincide with the pumpkin festival. With the help of local organizations, the streets of Caro abounded with marigolds in 1984 and an Art Show was featured.

The 150 Train Special arrived in Caro in 1987 and helicopter rides were offered. In 1988 local youth were invited to share their talents in the Lip Sync show, which was the best show in town for nearly 20 years.

The Caro Fire Department offered fun activities for children. Basketball, Softball, Soccer, Tennis and Golf tournaments have come and gone. A dessert contest sparked the publication of a cookbook. Jake and Joe were seen on the side streets of Caro giving wagon rides. The Cutest Punkin' Contest drew huge crowds of proud parents and grandparents. The cry of "BINGO" has echoed many times. Teens have had an opportunity to dance and for many years Miss Michigan performed at the annual Pumpkin Ball. Mutts have strutted their stuff and kids have excelled in the Biathlon. Scarecrows have been seen in the town square on the Courthouse lawn and in the yards of many local residents.