The 12th Annual Operation Pumpkin Festival, voted the Best Annual Festival in Butler County, takes place in downtown Hamilton, Ohio on October 13 and 14 from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and October 15th from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

“The central focus of this festival continues to be the giant pumpkins and extremely talented sculptors that make this festival a unique and special experience for everyone that visits,” said Jason Snyder, Co-Chair of Operation Pumpkin Festival.

Entertainment for the weekend includes the award-winning pumpkin weigh-off. Operation Pumpkin remains a sanctioned event through the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) and will continue to abide by GPC rules and regulations. In 2022 a site record was set by Frank Morse for his giant pumpkin that weighed in at 2,350 pounds, which was a state record for Michigan. This year, Operation Pumpkin will award $35,000 in prize money to the top 25 growers. The location of the weigh-off has been moved to the forefront of the festival directly in front of the Hamilton Municipal Building on High Street.

Live entertainment will take place on the main stage all weekend, including headliners My Girl Friday on Friday night, the Michelle Robinson Band on Saturday night and The Wonderlands on Sunday afternoon. We will host the crowd-favorite Pet Parade and Lil’ Miss Punkin Contest on Sunday. With the addition of the Hometown Stage on Market and N. 2nd Streets, thirteen local bands were added to the weekend lineup.

All weekend long, arts and crafts vendors will be lining High Street along with amusement rides, pumpkin silhouettes in Rotary Park, car show, farmers market and more. This year the footprint of the festival has been expanded to be able to accommodate more vendors and an enhanced kids zone, which includes a pumpkin painting, live entertainment and a pumpkin derby. 

We are accepting applications for the Pet Parade and Lil’ Miss Punkin Content. Additionally, there are still opportunities for the community to volunteer at the event to help make it a success. Sign up for these on our website at www.operation-pumpkin.org. 

The festival is free and open to the public! Celebrate autumn in style with food and crafts from vendors around Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana.