NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
16 Oct 2006

TOWER OF PUMPKINS TO LIGHT UP DOWNTOWN FOR INAUGURAL PUMPKINFEST

Mayor Stephen R. Reed, the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District(HDID) and the Harristown Development Corporation today announced plans for the first-ever “PumpkinFest” in downtown Harrisburg, a three-day display of a tower of carved pumpkins that will be erected in front of the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, beginning this Thursday, October 19.

Reed said PumpkinFest is a unique new event designed to bring visitors into downtown and is especially targeted to families. In addition to the “tower of pumpkins” being built on Market Square, the Hilton Hotel and Towers will also be presenting a free outdoor movie, “Monsters Inc.”, on the plaza in front of the hotel on Friday night, October 22, beginning at 7 p.m. A Halloween costume contest for children will be held prior to the movie, beginning at 6:45 p.m., with free candy offered to all and a chance to win great prizes.

The Mayor said the pumpkin tower will feature more than 1,000 pumpkins, donated by Penn Ag Industries Association, with each of the pumpkins carved or decorated by downtown businesses and individuals. PumpkinFest attendees will pay a penny a vote for their favorite pumpkins with all of the proceeds to benefit the Downtown Daily Bread food bank. The pumpkin tower will be erected by Patent Scaffolding.

“PumpkinFest promises to be a unique and creative event that reinforces Harrisburg as a point of destination for celebrating holiday festivities,” said Mayor Reed. The event will run from Thursday, October 19 to Saturday, October 21.

Jeff Murison, Executive Director of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, said that PumpkinFest is a very different kind of event that is creating quite a buzz. “We invite everyone to come downtown and view the tower, as well as encourage our many downtown workers to stop over at lunchtime on Friday and vote for their favorite carved pumpkin. All funds raised will be given to Downtown Daily Bread for their use in feeding the hungry,” said Murison.

PumpkinFest is produced by the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, the Harristown Development Corporation, the City of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Young Professionals. For more information about the event, please call (717) 236.9762, or email events@harrisburghello.com. The HDID is a non-profit economic development organization focused on making Downtown Harrisburg clean, safe and beautiful attraction for visitors and residents alike.