CHAMBER FINALIZES PLANS FOR 34TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

With October only days away, the Cordell Chamber of Commerce is just about ready to start the 34th Annual Cordell Pumpkin Festival.

Whether it’s a pumpkin pancake breakfast, burnout contest, a parade, or a cornhole tournament, the Pumpkin Festival will have something for everyone to enjoy.

Heading the festival again this year is project manager Sarah Lau of the Cordell Chamber of commerce.

“It’s one of the biggest events in Washita County right now,” Lau said. “It brings out a lot of people and we want to make sure that those people are having fun all day long.”

A pumpkin baking contest, a “kid zone” put on by the fire department, an audio contest, and some live music entertainment will all be a part of this year’s festival as well. Multiple vendors also plan to attend the fair, all offering a variety of items and food.

“Some of our vendors will be doing giveaways that day. I know one in particular, The Community Care Project, they’re giving away a thousand dollars worth of raffles during the festival,” Lau said. “A lot of our vendors are going to be doing stuff at their booths. The band will be selling pumpkin rolls, they’re kind of known for that, and the Boy Scouts are going to be selling popcorn.”

This year, attendants can expect a few things to be added and brought back for the event.

Festivities will be kicking off at 6:30 a.m. with the addition of the Riggs Nutrition 5K Fun Run as runners make their way through Cordell.

The Slim Pickens band will be returning this year to perform for attendants, and the yearly car audio content has gone national this year as participants will compete against each other in Cordell and their results will allow them to face off against participants across the nation.

Over at the Cordell Fire Department, they have decided to kick off their Haunted Morgue this year at 8 p.m. to finish off the day of festivities at the Pumpkin Festival.

While COVID seems to be more under control in recent months as vaccination rates rise, Lau said that they will still take some health precautions similar to last year’s event such as making masks available and having hand sanitizer stations.

“We’re just going to practice staying safe, and then hopefully we’ll be okay,” she said. “Nothing’s changing. We’re going to put everything back where it was and hope for the best.”

The 34th Annual Cordell Pumpkin Festival will take place Saturday, October 9 as the Pride of Cordell high school band officially opens up the event at 9 a.m. However, events will be taking place throughout the day from 6:30 in the morning up until 8 in the evening.

All events and their official times can be found listed on the Cordell Chamber of Commerce website as well as its Facebook page.