Pumpkins rolled to the finish line behind Edmond Town Hall on October 19 when the Newtown Lions Club held The Great Pumpkin Race.

Food, music, activities, and entertainment were offered throughout the morning and early afternoon event. The highlight, though, was the pumpkin race, which had children ages 8 and under, 9-12, and 13 and over test their pumpkin racer designs against others in their age group. Each pumpkin entry was required to have four wheels and two axles passing through it to qualify, according to a release for the event.

For the sixth year in a row, Noah Masotta, 13, and sister Ivy, 9, were grand prize winners in The Great Pumpkin Race. They were quick to claim their decorative plaque for their accomplishment. Newtown Lions Club member Bob Schmidt called the race, and he was not surprised when Ivy and Noah won.

“They are great kids... and every year they come up with a different pumpkin,” said Mr Schmidt.

A decorated pumpkin contest was also held, with pumpkins painted to be scary, funny, or “best decorated.”

Alex Michaud oversaw a trebuchet that chucked pumpkins, and Lathrop School Of Dance Zumba instructor Megan Sajovic offered Zumba dances for others to join, just after the race concluded. Tables were set up with different activities or information about local groups. At two of the tables, the Town and Country Garden Club offered free pumpkin decorating crafts for children, and Newtown Savings Bank sponsored a search for candy in hay.