Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival sees plentiful pumpkin supply this year after ‘devastating’ last two years

HARTSBURG, Mo. (KMIZ)

The 33rd Annual Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival began Saturday, bringing organizers hope after what they called a devastating past two years.

A state-wide drought racked Missouri for months last year, leaving several Mid-Missouri counties in "extreme drought" conditions. According to Missouri Soybean, from April to Nov. 2023 was the seventh driest growing season since 1895.

This year’s festival marks a welcome change for local farmers like Jo Hackman, who shared that the farm had suffered from a drought the past two years.

“You put all the money into seeds, fertilizer, and everything and then you get nothing. It's devastating,” Hackman said.

However, the tide turned this year.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Boone County has been drought-free for the past three months.

"We had two years of it so this year we were talking to the man upstairs to see if he could, you know, do a little better," said Vice President of the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival Jeri Cooper. "Anyway, now we're happy this year."

According to Hackman, last year, the farm had to source pumpkins from other regions. However, this year she said nearly all of the pumpkins are homegrown.

“We're proud of what we’ve produced,” Hackman said.

She also said that they began planting in June across 25 to 30 acres.

"I'm not saying we didn't get a few little ornamental but other than you know, most 99% of what you see here is from us," Hackman said.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the town has a population of just 133 people. However, the festival draws in thousands of visitors each year with its pumpkin picking, live music, and more.

To accommodate the high influx of guests, Cooper said that a committee of 40 volunteers helps manage operations.

"Most of them are out in the parking field where they're dealing with most of the people and interaction and getting them to park safely and then they walk around and we just monitor the situation and make sure everything's okay," Cooper said.

Several Boone County Sheriff vehicles are stationed near the town and around the festival grounds to manage traffic and ensure order.

"They're very helpful in helping, making sure that the flow of traffic is where it needs to be and that the people go where they need to go and don't go where they shouldn't be going," Cooper said.

Cooper said it's important to minimize vehicle and pedestrian interactions and added that first responders, including the fire department and ambulance services, are also on hand for any emergencies.

Although, it is a small town the festival goes on for a few miles. Cooper reminds visitors to take care of their health, especially with the amount of walking involved.

"You have to be aware of that it's a lot of walking," Cooper said. "So, you got to be aware of that and for that and just stay hydrated. And like a day like today, stay well hydrated, make stops and take care of yourself," Cooper said.

The festival will conclude on Sunday, with activities running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.