The Pumpkin Fair — Manteca’s biggest community shindig — is coming back after a forced break due to the COVID pandemic.
“We’re back,” Sunrise Kiwanis President Richard Silverman noted. “We are planning on being bigger and better than ever. The community needs us back and we need to be back. The Kiwanis count on the Pumpkin Fair to be able to help community groups.”
The 36th edition of the festival launched to celebrate nearly 80 percent of the commercially grown pumpkins in California roll out of the fields around Manteca in September and October takes place Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3, in downtown Manteca.
The push now is to secure some 200 vendors as well as more than 50 vehicles for the car show that Sunday. Returning is the Pumpkin Fair after Dark segment that includes the viewing of a free Halloween style movie, the beer garden, and two days of live musical entertainment.
They are adding a farm tractor show and making improvement to the Kids Zone.
There is a $25 entry fee for the Sunday, Oct. 3, car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is typically the largest car show in Manteca.
Food booths for the two days are $400 for a single booth space, $600 for two booth spaces, and $675 for three booth spaces.
Commercial booths are $270 for a single booth space, $420 for two booth spaces, and $545 for three booth spaces.
Handcrafted arts and crafts are $200 for a single booth space, $270 for two booths, and $375 for three booths.
Non-profit booths are $150 for a single space and $250 for two booths.
The service club has donated more than $1 million to various community groups and non-profits ranging from Scout troops and the Manteca Historical Society to the Boys & Girls Club and HOPE Family shelters from Pumpkin Fair proceeds over the years. It also allows the club to stage an entry-free community Fourth of July parade.
More information on the car show and vendor booths is available by calling (800) 592-7419 option 4 or going online to www.sunrisekiwanis.org.
The website has downloadable entry forms for vendors and the car show among other information.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
