This year’s annual Pumpkin Festival in Cordell is only a few days away and there is plenty planned including a couple of new events.
The festival is this Saturday, Oct. 10, with registrations starting in the 7:30-8 a.m. time period and the events beginning at 8 a.m.
This is the 33rd year for the festival.
Sarah Lau, with the Cordell Chamber of Commerce, is project manager for the Festival. “It has grown into something I wasn’t expecting, which is good,” she said.
She noted recently, “We have 77 vendors who have signed up and paid and will be here and more are coming in every day. That number could grow to nearly 100,” she thinks.
“They come from all over the state. We even have one coming from Texas,” she commented.
“The vendors will be set up at least six feet apart to keep with social distancing between them all around the town square,” Lau stated. “They will be selling everything from candles to woodworking to local made items.”
If anyone wants a booth, it is $50 and each booth is 13 feet by 13 feet, Lau stated.
Because of COVID, the chamber has set some guidelines. Lau stressed that during the Festival, “We are practicing and encouraging social distancing.”
“And there will be groups who will set up booths for fundraisers,” Lau added.
“It’s coming together,” Lau believes. “I’m thankful for what we have to give to the community and to showcase Cordell, especially with the pandemic that has been going on this year.”
From Scratch Bakery and Catering is sponsoring and judging the Jack Loftiss Pumpkin Baking Contest, she said. “It’s free to enter, but all baked items must have pumpkin in them,” she added.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. and judging starts at 9. The awards will be announced following the judging.
There are five divisions in the contest, including cakes, pies, cookies, candies and breads.
Lau said a bike ride is a new event for this year’s festival. “The chamber isn’t responsible for it, but a group of bike riders is organizing it,” Lau related.
Lau stated, “It’s free to enter and participate. The first ride, beginning at 8 a.m., leaves from Lee Park going from Cordell to Rocky and back and that is 22 miles. When they return from that, they will ride to Roosevelt and back and that is 70 miles.”
Another new event this year is a Corn Hole tournament. People can pre-register at the Chamber offce or Bean and Ladle through Friday between 8 a.m. and noon and the entry fee is $20 or on Saturday at the Chamber booth on the east side of the square and the entry fee is $30 for a team of 2 with cash prizes to win, Lau said.
The cash prizes are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Clint Alford, Bean and Ladle and Heavenly Junk, Lau explained.
The Corn Hole competition begins at 11:30 a.m.
Car show registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs until 10 at the Cordell Community Center on the northwest side of the square, Lau said.
“Registration is $20 prior to the day of the show and on Saturday it’s $25,” she said.
The show is for any kind of vehicles, old, new, or finished, Lau said.
Classes include Cars pre-40, 40-59, 60-81 and 82-present.
Pickups are pre-55, 55-72, 73-87 and 88 to present.
Street Rod, Rat Rod, motorcycle and muscle cars are 64-84 and 84 to present.
“The awards presentation is set for 2 p.m. and they will be Zonelle in front Page 2of the police station,” Lau stated.
She said, “At 3 p.m. is our Burnout contest, and it will be on North Temple Street between First and Main Street.” Registration is at the car show booth and entry fee is $20.
There is also an Audio Car contest that begins at 11 a.m.
Register at the car show booth and entry fee is $20, Lau said.
Lau explained, “We had to cancel the pancake breakfast due to COVID-19. We’re sad about that, but it’s the only thing we had to cancel.”
Lau said, “It’s all on the historical town square.”.
Lau pointed out, “We will have a parade that starts at 10 a.m. Everything is normal on it, we just ask that they practice social distancing.”
She stressed parade entries are being taken until this Friday, Oct. 9, the day before the festival. “If kids want to ride bikes or people want to drive old vehicles or tractors, that is fine, they just need to register is all we ask so we have a head count.”
Registration for the parade is at the Chamber of Commerce offce or next door at Bean and Ladle.
“Masks are optional since we are outside,” she noted.
“Also, there will be a kids area with jump houses sponsored by the Cordell Fire Department,” Lau stated.
Lau encourages anyone needing more information to go to the chamber website at www.thecordellchamber.com