Motorcycles And More At The Milford Pumpkin Festival!

Lovers of motorcycles and alcoholic beverages will find much to love at this year’s Milford Pumpkin Festival.

The 23rd Annual Milford Pumpkin Festival kicks off this Friday, Oct. 5, and introduce a custom/vintage motorcycle show from 5-6 p.m. Judging begins at 7 p.m. and prizes will be awarded in several categories. Registration is $15 first bike, $10 each additional bike.

Also new this year is the addition of a Beer, Wine  N’ Spirits Tasting event Saturday Oct. 6 starting at 5:30 p.m. on the Community House Lawn. It will feature New Hampshire produced beers, wines and spirits, including mead. Those 21 or older with identification can purchase tickets for $10 each to sample all beverages.

Tracy Hutchins, executive director of the Milford Improvement Team, is hoping for another strong year for the festival, which brings in thousands of visitors from inside and outside of the Milford community.

The decision to include a motorcycle event this year came from the realization that motorcycles are a big part of the culture in Milford, with motorcyclists making local downtown businesses a common weekend destination. If it turns out well, this could be an annual addition to the numerous events and activities at the festival.

Beer tasting has been a fixture for the past three years, but a decision was made to expand the offerings to wine and spirits this year. This broadens the businesses that can participate and give festival-goers more samples to try.

And of course, there is the Pumpkin Runner lighting pumpkins to kick off the festival like an Olympic torch runner.

The festival staples that everybody knows and love are back this year, including the fireworks, chili contest, Haunted Trail and plenty of pumpkin-related shenanigans. Ever shot a pumpkin from a catapult at a target? You can make it happen Saturday morning at TD Bank in Milford.

There are also plenty of performers to keep up the festive energy all weekend.

Hutchins said there was a huge turnout of auditioners for this year’s talent show that is taking place in the Amato Theater Saturday night. There is a lot of talent to be excited about as they compete for the $500 prize.

This local festival has spanned generations in its 23 years, with some volunteers involved since its inception. Hutchins added that those who who came as children years ago are now bringing kids of their own.

“We have touched pretty much an entire generation at this point,” she said. 

The festival also connects locals with over 40 nonprofit groups participating and a long list of sponsors that support it.

The Milford Pumpkin Festival brings about $2 million in revenue to the town each year, according to Hutchins. Yet it is not just a fundraiser to her, but an event that brings the community together year after year.  

For more information on the Milford Pumpkin Festival visit their website.