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Social Summit: Pumpkin Fest a smash in Silverthorne

Amy Kemp
Special to the Daily
Amber Reyna and her daughter Urianna picked a pack of perfect pumpkins at the town of Silverthorne’s Pumpkin Fest on Sunday, Oct. 11. The event drew one of the largest crowds in its history due to the mild temperatures and sunny skies, as well as the expanded number of activities.
Amy Kemp / Special to the Daily |

There’s a new way to celebrate fall in Silverthorne — with smashing pumpkins.

A pumpkin catapult debuted at this year’s Pumpkin Fest launching 300 pumpkins into the air and smashing them into the ground to cheers and “oohs” and “aahs.” The town of Silverthorne’s Pumpkin Fest returned for its 13th year on Sunday, Oct. 11 with blue skies, sunshine and one of the largest crowds yet.

“It was a gorgeous fall day … Pumpkin Fest has traditionally been a favorite for local families, and we feel that the event continues to grow each year as more and more activities are added,” said Blair McGary, Pavilion and marketing coordinator for the town.



In addition to the new catapult, the town offered a new train ride, hay ride and the “Before I Die …” public art project that invites people to dream of what they hope to do before they die. Between 2,000 and 3,000 kids, parents, grandparents and folks enjoyed the petting zoo, face painting, the bounce houses, the Cave of Confusion and, of course, the pumpkins, all 1,500 of them scattered on the Pavilion’s North lawn, said McGary.

Kellie McConnell’s 4-year-old said it was the “best day ever.”



Melinda Cope and her family have attended Pumpkin Fest for the past five years and said “it was wonderful to see that there (were) more pumpkins this year than in the past.”

The weather was also wonderfully cooperative compared to years past.

The pumpkins were such a hit for Naomi McMahon’s kids that they didn’t want to put them down to enjoy any of the other activities, like the bounce houses.

McConnell added that they went “for the pumpkins, of course, but (also) to see friends and kids we haven’t seen in awhile.”

Many other Summit County moms were impressed with this year’s event.

“The event gets better every year,” said Jamie Hyland.

This year, Red Buffalo Coffee served more than 800 free cups of cocoa and coffee compared to 600 cups last year.

“I love how it brings out everyone in the community,” said Erin Young with Red Buffalo Coffee.

“This is becoming a favorite fall family tradition,” said Leslie Walker Ford.


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