The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival

Sat, 20 Sep, 2025 at 10:00 am

Main Street Square Downtown Rapid City | Rapid City

Downtown Rapid City
Publisher/HostDowntown Rapid City
The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival
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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.
More Information: http://bit.ly/4l5a0ol
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Main Street Square Downtown Rapid City, 632 St Joseph St, Rapid City, SD 57701-3043, United States

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