A paint and sip party has been added to this year’s 39th annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair in downtown Manteca this Saturday and Sunday on Oct 7-8.

Three sessions are planned.

*”Pumpkin Wreath” painting Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

*”Fall Sky” painting Saturday from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

*”Hocus Pocus” panting Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The $30 per session fee covers the 12-inch by 12-inch canvas, needed supplies, and of course wine.

There is a limit of 20 people per session. Classes are being led by Lisa Rowe and take place at Library Park.

That’s not the only artistic event planned.

The service club is also staging the fourth annual Pumpkin Carving & Decorating Contest.

It is free to enter.

And you have a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards being awarded for the scariest and most creative in  two different age groups — kids 15 and under as well as those 16 and older. The winners also get a trophy that incorporates a pumpkin in the design.

The process is simple for the contest sponsored by the Manteca Grocery Outlet store.

*Obtain your own pumpkin.

*It can be any size, big or small.

*Carve or decorate it at home.

*Drop it off at the beer garden near the main stage at Wilson Park across from the post office on Manteca Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 7, between 4 and 6 p.m.

*The winners will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m.

*Pick up you entry at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7.

The Pumpkin Fair

Downtown Manteca is being turned into all things pumpkin for the two-day event in the triangle formed by Yosemite Avenue, Main Street, and Center Street.

It features free admission, free entertainment, free parking, and free fun.

It also will feature ideal weather. The first frost has yet to form on the pumpkins. The forecast for both days calls for highs around 90 degrees.

In other words, perfect weather for people watching, family fun, checking out 150 vendors, and enjoying every street food possible from Lockeford Sausage to ice cream treats.

There’s a car show on Sunday and the free kids zone events each day at Library Park.

And arguably the best part is the free Kids Zone games such as a pumpkin rolling and pumpkin pie eating contest at Library Park. The fun starts each day at 10 a.m. and goes through 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 8.

There are also pumpkins for sale in a makeshift patch. You can paint them for free if you wish, free at the Kids Zone.

The Main Stage entertainment includes:

Saturday

*11 a.m. to noon: A guitar and vocal act

*12:30 to 2 p.m.: The Suspension (pop/classic rock/harmony)        

*2:30 to 4 p.m.: The Sky Kings (country/rock/blues/funk)

4:30 to 6 p.m.: Jim Anderson & The Rebels (Elvis/country)

Sunday

*11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Network

*1 to 2:30 p.m.: Bad Neighbors

*3 to 5 p.m.:  Aaron Gayden Band

 For more Information for the two-day event that typically lures more than 50,000 people go to www.sunrisekiwanis.org

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com