While pumpkins are symbolic of fall, Saratoga Springs takes our favorite autumn icon and turns it into a seasonal celebration with giant pumpkins as the featured guests. The 8th annual Pumpkinfest will be held this Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Pumpkinfest is a community collaboration between the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the Saratoga Springs City Center, and the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

This Saturday’s free family-friendly event will have it all: pumpkin purveying, festive foods and activities, and a farmers’ market bursting with fall fun and local products. 

The farmers’ market is ideal for experiencing the seasonal transition into fall. Summer’s offerings give way to the upbeat of the autumnal rhythm, introducing winter squash, brightly colored mums, and freshly-picked apples. 

Pumpkinfest is a special day at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market as vendors will feature pumpkin and fall-themed products like apple cider, cider donuts, mums and fall bouquets,  pumpkin spice chèvre, pumpkin peanut butter, pumpkin spice lattes, and, of course, the pumpkins themselves. Local farms will bring a plethora of pumpkins and gourds of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The farmers’ market will host live music by Thomas Powers and Dave Moore, as well as non-profit community information tables from Cornell Cooperative Extension, the League of Women Voters, and more.

The farmers’ market will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., staying open an additional hour from its usual times to accommodate event crowds. A select group of vendors will continue vending until 4 p.m., coinciding with the end of the Chamber’s event. 

At the Saratoga City Center Parking Garage on High Rock Ave., spectators will find the giant pumpkins on display, with a competitive weigh-off beginning at 11 a.m. Additionally, more vendors and food and beverages will be set up outside the parking garage until 4 p.m. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will have pumpkin painting for an $8 donation per pumpkin.

We are getting into the spirit of the season with a recipe for pumpkin puree and roasted pumpkin seeds!

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. at High Rock Park. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.