Great expectations for Crete’s Great Pumpkin Festival this weekend

CRETE, NE — Crete’s Great Pumpkin Festival is expected to be as great as ever this weekend.

The pandemic has slowed or stopped many events this year, but Crete is still carving out time for the sixth annual pumpkin festival. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jack Cochnar says they have more sponsors and volunteers than ever before.

“The number of businesses, even during the pandemic, that we’ve had, the support that we’ve had, everything that we’ve asked them they’ve said, ‘yes this is what we want to do.’”

The festival starts Saturday at 6:30 with the Harvest Moon Cruise Night. The main events are on Sunday from 12-5. They include a car show, craft show, carnival games, food court, pumpkin pie eating contest, and the famous pumpkin drop - when the fire department drops a pumpkin from their tallest ladder.

“It’s gonna be sunny, nice, there’s lots of things for kids to see and do. I think it’s going to be a great family activity and give everybody a chance to finally get out.”

The Chamber has taken some health precautions. Organizers eliminated high-touch attractions like the bounce house, encouraged vendors to sanitize and set up hand-washing stations throughout downtown.

For more information, click here.