UPDATE (Saturday, October 22, 2016): Today's event has been canceled due to the weather.

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Newtown Lions Club will present the fun-filled Seventh Annual Great Pumpkin Race on Saturday, October 22. The big event will be presented in the parking lot behind Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street.

The festivities will take place from 10 am to 2 pm, and will commence with the judging of the decorated pumpkins. Prizes will go to the Scariest, Best Decorated, and Funniest Pumpkins. Entries will be judged in age categories: 8 and under, 9-12 and 13-17.

Last year a number of people entered the decorating contest and then put their pumpkin on wheels so they could also participate in the pumpkin races. There is a charge of $5 to enter either (or each) event.

Before, during, and after the decorating contest, people can participate in numerous activities. There will be bobbing for apples and pumpkin bowling, ring toss, and opportunities to have your photograph taken as a witch.

Newtown Savings Bank will sponsor a Treasure Chest with hay stacks just loaded with goodies and little treasures just waiting to be discovered.

The next major event will be the pumpkin racing contest. Those planning to enter this event should remember: pumpkin racers may not be on skates or skateboards. They must have an axle that goes through the pumpkin to hold it tight.

Pumpkin racers may be of any size, large or small, and they will judged in similar age divisions as the decorating contest with the addition of an 18 and older category.

Each division winner will win a prize, and then there will be a runoff of all divisions and a grand prize for the overall winter.

There will be plenty entertainment as well. Students from The Lathrop School of Dance will showcase their talents around noon. Lions Club member Bob Schmidt will serve as the day's emcee.

In addition, pumpkins will periodically be fired off into the woods by a medieval-style trebuchet. Crafted several years ago by Don Ramsey and Mark Michaud, it is the offspring of medieval trebuchets that fired boulders at castle walls to try to force entry. Seeing pumpkins fly through the air is always a sight to behold.

Ferris Acres Creamery will provide some delicious ice cream, and Blue Jay Orchards will be offering cider and cider doughnuts. For those who want hardier fare the Lions have engaged Windover BBQ and Catering to provide a variety of delectable treats.

Among the community groups participating this year will be The Town and Country Garden Club, with pumpkins for kids and adults to use as a base for fall floral arrangements; Tera Foster, displaying and selling jaunty pumpkin hats; and Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs, Newtown Chamber of Commerce, Shaolin Martial Arts Studio, Newtown Youth & Family Services, Cullens Memorial Center and Cub Scout Pack 270, and The Moms Club of Newtown.

Finally, around 1 pm, the Lions will draw the winning ticket for this year's Classic Mustang Raffle. This year's car is a 1966 convertible with slate blue body, white top, blue and white interior, 289 V8 engine with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and power top, all in beautiful condition. Tickets are $10 each and final sales will be done on Saturday.

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