Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest returns Oct. 4-6

Celebrate Highwood has announced that its 14th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 4-6, will go for two world records: the longest line of pumpkin pies (2,209 set in 2021) and the most jack-o'-lanterns on display (30,581 held by Keene, New Hampshire, from 2013). This family friendly, fan favorite annual event will offer all-you-can-carve pumpkin stations throughout the festival grounds, three days of live music from three stages, children’s and pet costume and pumpkin pie eating contests, a variety of food and artisan vendors, full bars, a carnival, hayrides and more. To kick it all off, Pumpkin Town USA and Superhero Skeleton Displays will be going up throughout Highwood beginning the weekend of Sept. 28 to get the community in the Fall spirit. The Skeletons and Pumpkin Town will be up all month long.

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest grounds will be spread throughout Highwood at Highwood City Hall, 17 Highwood Ave.; Everts Park, 111 North Ave.; Painters Park, 420-424 Sheridan Road; and the Highwood Metra Station Parking Lot, where a full carnival will be located. Street closures of Green Bay Road from North Avenue to Highwood Avenue and Highwood Avenue from Green Bay Road to Waukegan Avenue will welcome food, drink and activity vendors as well as Great Pumpkin Walls that will be lit up nightly.

Attendees will enjoy three days of live music and contests from three stages throughout fest grounds, including the Main Stage at North Avenue and Green Bay, the Bandshell in Everts Park and the School of Rock Stage in Painters Park.

In combination with the 14th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest, the town will also boast Pumpkin Town USA in the center of Everts Park, as well as the ever-popular Skeletons on Display with this years’ theme of scenes from superhero movies. These artistic seasonal installations will be up all month long and encourage attendees to walk around downtown Highwood to pose for pictures, patronize businesses and enjoy everything Highwood has to offer.

“The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest put Highwood on the map and it’s the perfect kickoff to fall after our summer series of events,” said Eric Falberg, President of Celebrate Highwood. “This year, we are proving to the world why Illinois is The Great Pumpkin (pie) State by attempting to break the Guinness World Records for the longest line of (pumpkin) pies. We will be partnering with military chefs, as well as other local bakeries, restaurants and groceries to make the pies, which will be donated to nonprofits after the festival.” The public is also encouraged to BYOP (bring your own pumpkins) to once again go for the world record of the most jack-o'-lanterns lit and displayed.

Anyone interested in providing pumpkin pies to participate in the Guinness World Records attempt should email info@celebratehighwood.org or call (847) 432-6000.

To help get pumpkins carved, there will be a prelude to pumpkin fest opening night from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, with all-you-can-carve pumpkin carving stations set up throughout the festival grounds, as well as a full carnival with rides, games and food. Highwood restaurants, businesses and bars will be open for business as well.

This year, Celebrate Highwood has chosen Kids Rank as the beneficiary of The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival. A nonprofit program for military children, Kids Rank creates a sense of stability and belonging for military kids wherever they go, integrating them into their neighborhoods and developing them as future leaders in their communities.

“We are deeply honored to be the beneficiary of this year's Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest!” said Kelcey Liverpool, founder and executive director of Kids Rank. “From the very beginning, Highwood has warmly welcomed us, and it's where Kids Rank first launched its programs. What began 13 years ago with 10 children in a small Highwood school has grown to serve over 200 children annually across nine schools in two districts. Our mission is to foster a sense of belonging for military families, and we are thrilled and grateful to be part of such a supportive community.”

For a full music lineup and schedule, visit celebratehighwood.org or HighwoodPumpkinFest.com. The weekend activities and events schedule will be constantly updated as activities are confirmed.