Hillsdale, N.Y., to Hold 10th Annual Pumpkin Festival Oct. 9

Hillsdale, N.Y., to Hold 10th Annual Pumpkin Festival Oct. 9

HILLSDALE, N.Y.–The 10th annual Hillsdale Pumpkin Festival will take place at businesses throughout Hillsdale and in the town’s Hamlet Park, at the corner of State Routes 22 and 23, on Saturday Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will feature live music, seasonal displays and activities, a bake sale, community tables, police and sheriff’s department exhibits and a BBQ dinner.

There also will be a “Gathering of Scarecrows” at 11 a.m. at Town Hall, a competition to create and decorate a scarecrow, with the theme this year of “Superheroes and Villains.” The contest will be followed by participants and the public parading down Main Street to the Hamlet Park. Costumes are encouraged.

Children 12 and under can take free pony rides starting at 2 p.m., weather permitting, at BridleWood Dressage, 35 Sir William Farm Road in Hillsdale.

Tour the Columbia County Sheriff Department’s Remote Police Command vehicle and sign up for the agency’s ID program. Visit with working police dogs, see the drones used by police, and check out the New York State Police’s “Rollover,” which simulates the injuries in a 35 m.p.h. crash on crash dummies to promote seat belt use.

At the Roe Jan Library one mile south of the Hamlet Park on Route 22, children can enjoy pumpkin painting starting at 1 p.m. (free, pre-registration required, email youth@roejanlibrary.org).

Meantime, the Hillsdale Fire Department will hold a BBQ for $15 (pre-order required, email Hillsdalefirecompany@gmail.com or call Emily at 518-938-1585 to reserve a meal). The food will be available for pickup at the fire station, just north of the hamlet on Route 22, starting at 4 p.m.