Pumpkin Fest time changes
By Bruce Wallace
Pumpkin Fest is never quite always the same.
This year, don't sleep too late - you will miss the parade.
In an effort to keep up with traffic tie-ups on Rt. A, the annual festival which brings about 40,000 visitors to Hartsburg, the Pumpkin Fest parade has been moved up one hour to 9 a.m. The festival will officially run each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with most vendors being at their booths by 8 a.m. Festival spokesperson Jo Hackman said that the best way to reach the festival, other than driving on Rt. A, is to use Christian School Rd. or the River Road from Wilton. Still, a few bike riders from Jefferson City, Columbia and Easely always ride down the Katy Trail.
Besides pumpkins, the annual festival will feature live entertainment, plenty of food and craft vendors and - yep, it's an election year - a gaggle of politicians.
Missouri State Senate candidates Kurt Schaefer and Chuck Graham will be on hand as will Missouri House candidates Chris Kelly and incumbent Ed Robb.
Spokesmen for candidates Kenny Hulshof and Jay Nixon, in a hot race for the governor's seat, could not confirm if the candidates would make it to Hartsburg as several political events will be held around the state this weekend.
But, no doubt about it, local candidates will be on hand.
In the race for the 24th District in the House of Representatives, both Kelly and Robb realize that Robb won the 2006 election (over challenger Jim Ritter) by the margin of southern Boone votes he received.
"I've been going to the Pumpkin Fest for years before I was elected to office," Robb said. "It is a great event and I'm looking forward to the baked goods and visiting at Dotty's Cafe."
Kelly says he has a "Southern Boone strategy," which has led him down dozens of gravel roads to knock on a single door.
Robb said that in the past few years, he has seen the festival growing, but when he has campaigned, he says he winds up shaking more hands from outside of Boone County.
"I think I meet more people from Cole County or even outside Mid-Missouri," said Robb with a laugh. "It is a tribute to the reputation of the Pumpkin Fest."