Attractions
Detailed carving illustrates squinted, intense eyes; a snarled toothy smirk; and a crooked, pointy nose. This intimidating face is ignited by an orange glow, made possible by a single candle. The tradition of pumpkin carving began long ago. Stemming from an Irish custom using hollowed turnips, it translated to the United States with the use of pumpkins and remains a popular symbol of Halloween.
In 1956, Sycamore resident Wally Thurow wanted to help his community celebrate Halloween in a creative way. Pumpkins were the centerpiece of his plan. Thurow decorated a number of the vegetables and created a display in his front yard. The spectacle became quite popular and in 1962 Thurow, in conjunction with the Sycamore Lions Club, worked to coordinate the first Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. Drawing a huge crowd, this weekend full of events, food and fun has blossomed over its 50-year history, bringing in 100,000 to 300,000 visitors annually. Now dubbed Mr. Pumpkin, Thurow “travels back from Slidell, Louisiana to help promote the festival every year,” according to Rick Poe, president of the festival committee.
The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival usually takes place on the last full weekend in October. This three-day extravaganza brims with festivities. Also, “the large influx of people brings money into the community” and “gives the nonprofit organizations [of DeKalb County] a venue to raise money for their causes.” The courthouse lawn displays hundreds of decorated pumpkins, reminiscent of the few that started it all. “All children in the area are encouraged to submit a theme suggestion. The board of directors sort through hundreds to select the top entry for that year and that is the theme for that year’s festival,” notes Poe. The merriment begins with pumpkin check-in. The weekend continues with a carnival, scary stories told at the library, a craft show, pie eating contest, golf scramble, house walk, pig roast, fun fair, a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers and the Pumpkin Festival Halloween Costume Contest and Monster Bash. The festivities culminate on Sunday with the Sycamore Chamber 10,000-Meter Road Run and a gigantic parade.
Whether the faces of the pumpkins are comical or frightening, the soft glimmer of the candles radiate a warm sense of community throughout Sycamore each year during the Halloween season.
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