October
23-27, 2024


Parade & Vendor Applications are due September 1.

63rd Annual
Sycamore Pumpkin Festival

The 2024 Theme is “Pumpkins Around the World”

Beautiful downtown Sycamore during the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival parade

The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival takes place in downtown Sycamore, Illinois, near the corners of Main & State Street, with much of the festivities happening on the courthouse lawn and surrounding town square.

Pumpkin Festival logo

A community celebration, showcasing our local noT-for-profit organizations!

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Sycamore Pumpkin Fest pumpkin display in downtown Sycamore, IL

Lions’ Pumpkin Display

On the Courthouse Lawn

Carnival rides at Sycamore Pumpkin Fest in Sycamore Northern Illinois

Carnival

Fri – Sat – Sun

Pumpkin parade in Sycamore including local bands march

Parade

Sunday

Pumpkin Fest: Voted Among Chicago & Illinois’ Best Festivals and Fairs by Travel Mag!

View Article

Follow us on Instagram for more Festival Fun!

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sycamorepumpkinfestival


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🎃𝕀𝕥’𝕤 𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕚𝕟’ 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝!🧡 Lions Food Truck is set, Flags are up and the Carnival rolled in yesterday! Only ONE MORE DAY until the Opening Ceremony and GIANT CAKE! 🍰

#SycamorePumpkinFestival #SycamorePumpkinFest #CityOfSycamore #SycamoreIL #MostWonderfulTimeOfTheYear



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🎃𝕀𝕥’𝕤 𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕚𝕟’ 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝!🧡 Lions Food Truck is set, Flags are up and the Carnival rolled in yesterday! Only ONE MORE DAY until the Opening Ceremony and GIANT CAKE! 🍰 #SycamorePumpkinFestival #SycamorePumpkinFest #CityOfSycamore #SycamoreIL #MostWonderfulTimeOfTheYear


🎃 Lots of fun was had by all at the Free Pumpkin Giveaway!🎃

Thanks to the Sycamore Lions Club, Theis Farm Market and BSA Troop 40 Sycamore!

#SycamorePumpkinFestival #SycamorePumpkinFest #SycamoreIL #CityOfSycamore #MostWonderfulTimeOfTheYear



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🎃 Lots of fun was had by all at the Free Pumpkin Giveaway!🎃 Thanks to the Sycamore Lions Club, Theis Farm Market and BSA Troop 40 Sycamore! #SycamorePumpkinFestival #SycamorePumpkinFest #SycamoreIL #CityOfSycamore #MostWonderfulTimeOfTheYear


You can hear the broadcast of Sycamore Pumpkin Parade Co-Chair Terri Crain Goodman’s interview with Terry Ryan at WLBK FM98.9 AM1360 on Sunday, October 20 at 11:40 am and Monday, October 21 at 9:10 am.

#SycamorePumpkinFestival
#PumpkinsAroundTheWorld #SycamorePumpkinFest
#SycamoreIL #CityOfSycamore #WLBK #MostWonderfulTimeOfTheYear



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You can hear the broadcast of Sycamore Pumpkin Parade Co-Chair Terri Crain Goodman’s interview with Terry Ryan at WLBK FM98.9 AM1360 on Sunday, October 20 at 11:40 am and Monday, October 21 at 9:10 am. #SycamorePumpkinFestival #PumpkinsAroundTheWorld #SycamorePumpkinFest #SycamoreIL #CityOfSycamore #WLBK #MostWonderfulTimeOfTheYear


REMINDER…Tonight is the Pumpkin Festival NonProfit Vendors Meeting!

Please send one representative from your organization to this information meeting.

7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber
Use the Somonauk St. entrance.



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REMINDER…Tonight is the Pumpkin Festival NonProfit Vendors Meeting! Please send one representative from your organization to this information meeting. 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber Use the Somonauk St. entrance.


🎉 Here’s all the info you’ve been waiting for…the 2024 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Schedule!! 🎃

We’re continuing to move into the digital age by posting all of our festival schedule, vendors, parade info, maps and more on our website! You can access the schedule by scanning the QR code below. 🔽 🔽 🔽

We will only be printing a limited number of physical brochures this year in the hopes to save trees (and money 😉)!

We encourage everyone to use their smartphones to access all the info 𝙊𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤! 📲

Here’s a handy link in case you’re already on your smartphone! https://sycamorepumpkinfestival.com/schedule/

Share this post and help spread the word!

#SycamorePumpkinFestival
#SycamorePumpkinFestival2024
#SycamorePumpkinFest
#SycamoreIL #FallFestival #Pumpkins



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🎉 Here’s all the info you’ve been waiting for…the 2024 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Schedule!! 🎃 We’re continuing to move into the digital age by posting all of our festival schedule, vendors, parade info, maps and more on our website! You can access the schedule by scanning the QR code below. 🔽 🔽 🔽 We will only be printing a limited number of physical brochures this year in the hopes to save trees (and money 😉)! We encourage everyone to use their smartphones to access all the info 𝙊𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤! 📲 Here’s a handy link in case you’re already on your smartphone! https://sycamorepumpkinfestival.com/schedule/ Share this post and help spread the word! #SycamorePumpkinFestival #SycamorePumpkinFestival2024 #SycamorePumpkinFest #SycamoreIL #FallFestival #Pumpkins


📻 Give a listen this morning at 8:10 AM on 102.3 The Coyote as we discussed the upcoming 2024 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival! 🎃



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📻 Give a listen this morning at 8:10 AM on 102.3 The Coyote as we discussed the upcoming 2024 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival! 🎃


🎃 Have you always wanted to be in the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Parade?? 🧡 Are you a teen who needs service credit hours for school or your organization? 🙋‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️ Do you have a service organization or business with lots of smiling faces who like to help? 😁

The Pumpkin Festival Parade is in need of volunteers to carry the banners for the parade this Sunday, October 27. This is a walking job for a roughly 2 mile parade route so we are looking for volunteers middle school age and older.

We have a total of 12 banners so 24 volunteers are needed from 12:30-approx. 3:00pm to help us make this year’s parade look fabulous!

If you or your organization is interested in helping or have questions, please PM us your contact info.

#sycamorepumpkinfestival #pumpkinfestivalparade



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🎃 Have you always wanted to be in the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Parade?? 🧡 Are you a teen who needs service credit hours for school or your organization? 🙋‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️ Do you have a service organization or business with lots of smiling faces who like to help? 😁 The Pumpkin Festival Parade is in need of volunteers to carry the banners for the parade this Sunday, October 27. This is a walking job for a roughly 2 mile parade route so we are looking for volunteers middle school age and older. We have a total of 12 banners so 24 volunteers are needed from 12:30-approx. 3:00pm to help us make this year’s parade look fabulous! If you or your organization is interested in helping or have questions, please PM us your contact info. #sycamorepumpkinfestival #pumpkinfestivalparade


🎃 𝙎𝙔𝘾𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀 𝙇𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 𝘾𝙇𝙐𝘽
𝘿𝙀𝘾𝙊𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙀𝘿 𝙋𝙐𝙈𝙋𝙆𝙄𝙉 𝙊𝙉𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙈 🎃

https://form.jotform.com/212408041839049

This is the link to the online Lions Decorated Pumpkin Display Entry Form. Paper forms will still be available during check in from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm on Wednesday October 23rd.



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🎃 𝙎𝙔𝘾𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀 𝙇𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 𝘾𝙇𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝙀𝘾𝙊𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙀𝘿 𝙋𝙐𝙈𝙋𝙆𝙄𝙉 𝙊𝙉𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙈 🎃 https://form.jotform.com/212408041839049 This is the link to the online Lions Decorated Pumpkin Display Entry Form. Paper forms will still be available during check in from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm on Wednesday October 23rd.


𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝑷𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒌𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍

Few people have been as dedicated to Sycamore and to the Pumpkin Festival as Jim Dombek. Jim lived a life dedicated to family, friends, community, and church. He was a volunteer for many community groups throughout DeKalb County. Most notably, Jim was a member of the Sycamore Community Board of Education beginning in 1997 and served as Board President from 1999 until his passing in 2024. His final job was as Director of Trust/Investments & Counsel at Resource Bank. He was known for his meticulous management of trust portfolios, guardianships, and estate planning, as well as his expertise in investment advice and tax planning.

Jim`s commitment to his work was only surpassed by his love for his family, his friends and his faith. In 1991, he was ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford and served at the NIU Newman Center in DeKalb for 32 years.

Jim was an integral part of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, serving as the legal advisor for 26 years. He was also well known in the community as the announcer for our grand parade on Sunday. His voice and his spirit will be sorely missed.

He will be remembered for his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering integrity. His legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched and the institutions he helped shape, especially the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.



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𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝑷𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒌𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍 Few people have been as dedicated to Sycamore and to the Pumpkin Festival as Jim Dombek. Jim lived a life dedicated to family, friends, community, and church. He was a volunteer for many community groups throughout DeKalb County. Most notably, Jim was a member of the Sycamore Community Board of Education beginning in 1997 and served as Board President from 1999 until his passing in 2024. His final job was as Director of Trust/Investments & Counsel at Resource Bank. He was known for his meticulous management of trust portfolios, guardianships, and estate planning, as well as his expertise in investment advice and tax planning. Jim's commitment to his work was only surpassed by his love for his family, his friends and his faith. In 1991, he was ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford and served at the NIU Newman Center in DeKalb for 32 years. Jim was an integral part of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, serving as the legal advisor for 26 years. He was also well known in the community as the announcer for our grand parade on Sunday. His voice and his spirit will be sorely missed. He will be remembered for his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering integrity. His legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched and the institutions he helped shape, especially the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.


𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑫 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑽𝑨𝑳

Bart Desch, long-time supporter of our community and of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, passed away on November 6, 2023, at the age of 58. His family will be representing him in the parade this year. Bart graduated from Western Illinois University in 1989. He first served as the recreation coordinator of the Joliet Park District, and also as the recreation supervisor of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District from 1995 to 2000. He was then the facility manager at the Pleasant Dale Park District before coming to Sycamore. Bart arrived in Sycamore in 2003, where he served as the program supervisor for the Sycamore Park District. He then became the Superintendent of Recreation in 2010. He served in that capacity until 2015. Notably, Bart was an Illinois National Guardsman from 1985-1990. In Sycamore, he was also a dedicated volunteer for Pay-It-Forward house for many years. We are honoring him this year for his 15 years of dedicated service to the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Committee from 2007-2022.



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𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑫 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑽𝑨𝑳 Bart Desch, long-time supporter of our community and of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, passed away on November 6, 2023, at the age of 58. His family will be representing him in the parade this year. Bart graduated from Western Illinois University in 1989. He first served as the recreation coordinator of the Joliet Park District, and also as the recreation supervisor of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District from 1995 to 2000. He was then the facility manager at the Pleasant Dale Park District before coming to Sycamore. Bart arrived in Sycamore in 2003, where he served as the program supervisor for the Sycamore Park District. He then became the Superintendent of Recreation in 2010. He served in that capacity until 2015. Notably, Bart was an Illinois National Guardsman from 1985-1990. In Sycamore, he was also a dedicated volunteer for Pay-It-Forward house for many years. We are honoring him this year for his 15 years of dedicated service to the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Committee from 2007-2022.


🎃 HOW IS YOUR PRIZE WINNING PUMPKIN GROWING??!!

🥇Joe Morgan grew a pumpkin that weighed 1,808.5 pounds, obliterating the Minnesota State Fair’s old record of 1,676.5 pounds set in 2022.

At the time he cut it from the vine, Joe’s pumpkin was growing an average of 20 pounds per day.

#LargestPumpkinInMinnesota
#StateRecord



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🎃 HOW IS YOUR PRIZE WINNING PUMPKIN GROWING??!! 🥇Joe Morgan grew a pumpkin that weighed 1,808.5 pounds, obliterating the Minnesota State Fair’s old record of 1,676.5 pounds set in 2022. At the time he cut it from the vine, Joe’s pumpkin was growing an average of 20 pounds per day. #LargestPumpkinInMinnesota #StateRecord