Get ready for Rapid City’s most anticipated fall tradition, The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival! Spanning from Main Street Square to Memorial Park, this free, family-friendly event is a full-day celebration of all things autumn.
Festival Highlights:
– Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off: Witness the town’s biggest and best gourds go head-to-head.
– Pumpkin Chunkin’: Local students, led by South Dakota Mines, show off their engineering skills by launching pumpkins across Memorial Park with trebuchets.
– Pumpkin Decorating Contest: Bring your carved or painted pumpkin by 10 a.m. and see if it captures the crowd’s vote for best in show.
– Kidz Zone: Packed with jumping castles, pumpkin painting, the fan-favorite 4 Buck Chuck pumpkin toss, and a Touch-a-Truck experience where kids can climb aboard and explore big trucks.
– Downtown Business Scarecrow Contest: Cast your vote for the most creative scarecrow downtown at the Visitor Center or through the Visit Rapid City App.
– Pumpkin Pub Crawl (starts at 12 PM): Toast the season with festive drinks at your favorite downtown spots — 21+ only.
– 100+ Local Vendors & Food Trucks: Shop unique handmade goods and savor delicious seasonal treats throughout the day.
*Schedule of Events:
10:00 AM – Vendors, Kidz Zone, and Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off kick off the fun
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Vote for your favorite Painted or Carved Pumpkin at Main Street Square
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Explore Touch-a-Truck at City Hall
10:15 AM – Drumline and mascots lead a lively procession from Main Street Square to Memorial Park
11:00 AM – First Round of Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Memorial Park
12:00 PM – Pumpkin Weigh-Off winners announced at City Hall
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Live music from the Wilt Brothers Band at Main Street Square
12:00 PM – Pumpkin Pub Crawl begins (21+ only)
1:00 PM – Second Round of Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Memorial Park
3:00 PM – Third Round of Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Memorial Park
4:00 PM – Closing time — see you next year!
*Schedule is subject to change.
A big thanks to our sponsors: RESPEC, South Dakota Mines, Bluepeak Internet, Formanek Electric, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, Affordable Nflatables, Prairie Edge, Black Hills Energy and Superior Siding.
