Lima Pumpkin and Agricultural Day features more than just pumpkins. Photo by Neil Smith
BY DEB AND TIM SMITH
Lima Pumpkin Festival and Agricultural Day will return this weekend. It is truly impressive how huge this event has become in such a short time, with the initial festival occurring just three years ago in 2023. This year’s fourth annual festival will take place on Saturday, October 3, at the Mark Tubbs Memorial Park, 7384 Ziegler Drive in Lima, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Let’s start with the four-pronged mission statement of the festival. The goals are to…
* Foster Community Spirit
* Engage Families with Local Agriculture
* Highlight Lima’s and Livingston County’s Agricultural Diversity
* Financially Support Mark Tubbs Memorial Park
The attendance numbers do a fine job of illustrating the rapid growth of this festival. The original event in 2023 drew 2,000 people, and last year that number more than doubled, with attendance reaching 4,400+. Furthermore, many people traveled to Lima for the event, with 45% of the attendance coming from outside Livingston County.
As we prepare for the 4th Annual Lima Pumpkin Festival & Agricultural Day, we wanted to share with you some of the successes of 2025, as well as what to look forward to this coming weekend. Last year, funds were raised to help pay for two Eagle Scout Projects and to fund additional benches. In 2026, they are raising funds for a large Pollinator Garden.
There is so much going on at this year’s festival that our writers’ challenge becomes how to cluster the collection of included events. In the “food and drink” category, we have the “Corn Eating Contest” featuring four categories – two for kids, women, and men. New this year will be a Kids Corn Shucking Competition. Shucks, you won’t want to miss this one. You can also look forward to the Lima’s Duncan Milk Hauling sponsoring the “Upstate Milk Giveaway.”
For those of you with a sweet tooth, there has been a “Calling All Bakers” challenge issued. The Lima Pumpkin Festival & AG Day is once again hosting a “Pumpkin Dessert Contest,” which is open to all bakers. So pull out your favorite recipe & start baking. But do be forewarned; your family & friends will probably insist upon you making a few test batches!
The rules for entry are fairly simple. This is not rocket science; your dessert concoction must contain pumpkin. Dessert drop-off is from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on October 3rd at Mark Tubbs Memorial Park. No pre-registration is required, there is no cost to enter, and cash prizes will be awarded.
Agricultural attractions include the Draft Horse Wagon Rides, Blacksmith Demo, 4-H displays, and additional local AG product vendors. As we segue from the agriculture to the children, we’ll mention Lima’s 2 Barn Farm petting zoo & pony rides.
Then, as we focus completely on the kids, they can look forward to the Elim Kid Zone with Carnival Games, Kids AG Activity Zone, and Old Time Games.
Children of all ages will enjoy the craft vendors, hay rides, pumpkin painting, and the delectable variety of food vendors, highlighted by HF’s Paul’s BBQ chicken barbecue. There will be music galore, and if you’re feeling lucky, why not bid on the many Silent Auction items. For all of you who love loud noises, look forward to the return of chainsaw artists of the Loomis Family, who will demonstrate some sharp skills.
As far as local events go, it doesn’t get much better than this. Admission is free, and it comes with the opportunity to experience firsthand why attendance set a record last year at the Lima Pumpkin Festival and Agricultural Day. See you there!
