BARNESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — The 62nd annual Barnesville Pumpkin Festival officially begins Thursday, following the arrival Wednesday night of this year’s King Pumpkin weighing 1,837 pounds.
Jerry Rose II of Huntsburg, Ohio, delivered the winning pumpkin to the festival, earning the King Pumpkin title with the 1,837-pound entry.
The festival will officially open at 5 p.m. Thursday with a ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony in the King Pumpkin area. Becky Hunkler, Barnesville’s first Pumpkin Queen in 1968, will cut the ribbon.
The ceremony also will introduce the 2026 Pumpkin Festival royalty, including Queen Lynzee Ensell, Princess Campbell Allen and Mini Miss Lucille Jefferis.
The King Pumpkin awards will be presented during the opening ceremony. The King Pumpkin Trophy, sponsored by Doan Ford, will go to the grower of the largest pumpkin.
The Founder’s Cup, sponsored by the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival in honor of the Martin Schumacher family, will be awarded to the grower of the largest locally grown pumpkin. Second- and third-place trophies also will be presented.
The festival runs through Sunday and will feature the Giant Pumpkin Parade, contests, rides, food, live entertainment and other fall activities.
The 62nd annual Barnesville Pumpkin Festival runs Sept. 24-27 in downtown Barnesville.
More information and the full festival schedule are available at barnesvillepumpkinfestival.com.
Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by AVC News
