Two Perspectives of The Caledonia Pumpkin Festival

As the month of October winds down to an end, there’s still time to get out and enjoy the fall colors and weather.  And there’s no better place to do that than the little town of Caledonia, MO.  With a population of only 150 people, nobody does fall better.  Thousands of people flock to the quiet town every October to participate in the Pumpkin Festival at the beginning of the month, walk along the nostalgic Main Street lined with historical homes and storefronts, including The Mercantile, and driving right up the road to the pumpkin farm to pick out a pumpkin and roam through the corn maze.

Fortunately for us, this little town is practically in our backyard. Because of that, sometimes I think we take for granted how special this place is. This year, like the last several years, I took my family to the fall festivities. But unlike most years, for whatever reason, probably this blog, I seemed to think about the experience a little differently.

First, was just the crowd of people. Caledonia is a town of 150 residents, and for this one day of the year, it turns into a town of thousands!  People from all over come to celebrate the coming of fall and to experience what the town has to offer. The historic street was lined at least 4 or 5 people deep on both sides along the parade route. What is it about this day that attracts so many people?

As I mentioned, maybe it’s the parade.  Like many small town parades, picture all the various floats coming down the street, carrying little prince and princesses, advertising businesses, or representing special organizations; the nice new trucks with their political signs on the side saying “vote for so and so”; the farmers on their antique tractors “put putting” down the road; men on horseback and a team of Clydesdales pulling a gorgeous wagon (followed by the “pooper scoopers”); antique cars, monster trucks, dance teams, sports organizations….etc etc.  While watching the parade I felt a sense of nostalgia. I just thought about how something as simple as a small town parade, being so many people together from so many areas.  

After the parade, the boys and I walked up the street, looking into the old store fronts as we made our way to our FAVORITE Caledonia destination…The Old Village Mercantile! Erected in 1909, the Mercantile takes us back to a time that life as we know it didn’t exist. There were no game systems and cell phones to occupy our every waking moment. Kids could save their pennies and go to the Mercantile to buy candy by the pound, an ice cream cone, or a simple board game that would keep them entertained for days, if not weeks! Today, the Old Village Mercantile reminds visitors of what it used to be like to “go to the store.” With jars of candy, old fashioned salt water taffy, and chocolates to scoop into bags to pay by the pound, a wide selection of fudges, the largest variety of coffee beans, and antiques, the Mercantile is just a great place to go to experience a much simpler life. Simple meaning, good raw fun that requires no headphones, apps, or internet. My kids (and maybe myself as well) love to go in and fill bags full of candy that can’t be found in any grocery. This is the perfect place to go on a family outing. 

After spending some time exploring The Mercantile and leaving with waaaay too much candy, we made our way to the vendor area of the festival. There was a band playing as people meandered through the booths. And there was a lot to look at. Most vendors had wooden home decor crafts that are always fun (at least for me) to look at. The boys enjoyed watching the blacksmith at work. Enrique was just along for the ride. We didn’t buy anything other than some Lularoe (I sell it). I’m obsessed…I know. But they had men’s shirts (I don’t carry men’s) so it was time for Enrique to have his own LLR!  I digress…lol…anyway, if I didn’t already ah e a houseful of stuff, I could have spent a small fortune. 

We finished our time up at the festival eating some amazing food, Philly cheesesteaks and BBQ porksteaks, before heading a little ways up the road to the pumpkin patch. 

The pumpkin patch was way more than what I expected. Fields full of thousands of pumpkins!!  It was beautiful!  We picked our pumpkins, Oakley too, and got in the jeep to head home. They had a corn maze, which I’ve heard is a blast, but we were out of time and had to get down the road. 

If you’ve never been to the pumpkin festival, I would highly recommend it. But Caledonia is worth a visit anytime at least go to the Old Village Mecantile. Happy Fall everyone!! 

My perspective is a little different being that I have worked the Pumpkin Festival the last two years.  My good friend Gina is a Civey and a fellow crafter.  Her family owns The Civey Building along the main street there in Caledonia.  We took advantage of that and set our wares up out front along the parade route.  

Last year was a bit nerve wracking for me because this was my first craft fair.  It is a little intimidating putting your products out there with the hopes that people are willing to buy it.  That first year, I was successful and several friends stopped in to give their support.  

This year Gina had worked on some items and had to experience that nervousness of wondering if anyone would buy your handcrafted items. They did and it wasn’t just friends!

 

 

Anyway if you are working a festival or craft fair, it takes on an entirely different feel that just attending for enjoyment.  It is an early morning start with loading items and making the trip then to quickly unload and set up.  It is a long day on your feet and interacting with people.  For this is when I am grateful for Aaron.  He is the people person.  He is the talker.  He is the consummate salesman.  He isn’t afraid to approach people and he isn’t afraid to share his love of my jam. LOL.  I actually found myself this year retreating to the shadows for a little bit because at times the “peopling” can be overwhelming. So again I am thankful for Aaron.

If I am thanking people, I have to include my mom who is probably my second biggest fan and who will show up with her critical eye to give me her honest opinion of the set-up or items.  She also shows up to do some shopping and eating.  Eating is important to all of us.  Let’s not forgot my dad who just tags along and does whatever my mom says to do.

Without the extra people in your corner, a festival or craft fair would be almost impossible.

Now while you are working one of these events, you do have a chance to see some of the people that you haven’t seen in years. Or a chance to visit with people outside of work.  Aaron had a few friends from MODOT stop in and say hi and to talk about food. Again the people watching can become an event within itself.  And as always the opportunity to try new and different foods.  This year I didn’t venture too far from our setup but did find some tasty food from the Caledonia Methodist Church – a country skillet.

Unless you have set-up a booth or worked a festival then it is hard to understand the amount of work and hours that goes into such an event.  It is definitely less stressful to just attend and stroll, people watch, eat and shop.  I’ll continue to do the occasional festival and craft fair, but will always enjoy just being a participant.

So whether you are there to experience the event or there to work it, the Caledonia Pumpkin Fest can be a great time.