The Quirky Town Near Cincinnati That Transforms Into A Pumpkin Wonderland Every Fall
By Andrea Limke|Published October 11, 2018
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Fall is such a festive time around Cincinnati and many nearby towns celebrate in their own ways with fun-filled festivals and events. The city of Hamilton in Butler County has really come into its own over the past several years, and those who live in the area will be the first to tell you it’s a great place to be – especially in autumn! Each year, this quirky town celebrates the season with Operation Pumpkin, a fall festival where Hamilton transforms into a pumpkin wonderland. It’s the perfect way to spend a fall day, and it’s just a short drive from Cincinnati.
Celebrating its 7th year, Operation Pumpkin returns to the streets of Hamilton this weekend (October 12th-14th, 2018) and it's sure to be one of the best fall events of the season. This pumpkin-loving festival has grown from year to year, and last year it welcomed over 30,000 visitors to the party!
This gathering is all about the pumpkin, and you will see them in every way, shape, and form. If you love fall and you love festivals, then this event is perfect for you.
Even if you're not crazy about gourds, there is so much to see and do here. It's very different from other fall events, making it worth the drive from Cincinnati.
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Some of the most popular features of Operation Pumpkin are the intricate carvings. Artists work their magic on massive pumpkins right before your eyes, carving them into something unlike anything else you've ever seen. These pieces of pumpkin art become more elaborate and impressive each year.
Another exciting event to watch is the weighing of the fruits and vegetables. These monsters would make quite a few pumpkin pies, and it's so fun to watch the competitive farmers go head-to-head with their homegrown beauties.
Be sure to bring the kids along, because there is an entire area dedicated just to them. There are rides, games, activities, arts & crafts, and much more. There is even a Lil' Miss Punkin Contest that is just as adorable as it sounds.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the festival starts rocking with live music and an entertainment-focused atmosphere. Everyone loves fall, so what's not to celebrate at the end of a beautiful day at this autumn festival?
There are also many vendors, food trucks, beer and other beverages available, pet parades, and so much more. The lovely city of Hamilton really shows off its spirit at this festival, and it's a great way to introduce yourself to this growing town.
Cancel any other plans you had this weekend and go check out Operation Pumpkin in downtown Hamilton! It takes place Friday, October 12th and Saturday, October 13th from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, October 14th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Operation Pumpkin is a festive event where Hamilton transforms into a pumpkin wonderland, and thousands agree that it’s one of the best events in the area this season! Have you been to Operation Pumpkin and do you plan to attend this year? Share your experience with us in the comments!
To learn even more about Operation Pumpkin and to plan your visit, check out the festival’s website here and follow along on Facebook here.
And while you’re in the area, be sure to check out a few stops along Butler County’s Donut Trail, featured in a previous article here.
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