Lots of events are planned throughout the downtown area for the 2021 Prague Pumpkin Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2.
Vision Bank is providing free pumpkins for the children’s pumpkin decorating contest, which will be in the vacant building next to Classy Cuts. The Prague Ministerial Alliance will have arts and crafts for children there also.
Everyone is invited to take part in a Costume Contest at 11:30 a.m., at the main grandstand in the open lot south of the stoplight. Prizes of goody bags will be given for first, second and third place winners in each of four age divisions - 0-3 years, 4 years to first grade, second-fifth grades and eighth grade through adults.
There will be hayrides in town, arts and crafts vendors and other activities.
The Prague Fire and Police Departments will have a fire truck and a police vehicle for children to sit in. Fire hats and coloring sheets will be given away.
A Corn Hole Tournament will start at 1 p.m.
There will be two food contests, a Chili Cook-Off and a Pumpkin Baking Contest, with winners receiving cash prizes and trophies. Local restaurants have been challenged to submit entries competing with the home cooks. Entries should be turned in to the food table in the vacant lot south of the stoplight by 10:45 a.m. on the day of the festival. There is no cost to submit entries. Judging will begin at 11 a.m.
In the Chili Cook-Off, entrants must enter approximately one gallon of chili.
Entries in the baking contest must be any homemade item that contains pumpkin such as pies, cakes, cheesecakes, breads, soups, etc.
Prizes awarded in each contest are 1st Place - $50, 2nd Place - $25 and 3rd Place - $10.
Each one will also receive a trophy.