PUMPKIN SEASON

The second-annual Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival hosted its official grand opening this weekend and will continue to operate at the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead throughout the entire month of October.

This year’s celebration will feature Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli, an ancient Aztec ceremonial dance, on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. and an American Indian Powwow on Sunday, Oct. 9 in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the festival will feature kids goat yoga from 10 to 11 a.m. World-renowned pumpkin sculptor and Guinness World Record holder Deane Arnold from Food Network’s “Halloween Wars” and “Outrageous Pumpkins” will host live carvings and workshops every weekend.

On Oct. 9 and 10 at 1 p.m., the festival will hold a Butterfly Jubilee with live butterfly releases. The next weekend — Oct. 15 and 16 — will feature a Pumpkin Jamboree with contests and giveaways.

The final weekend of the festival will be a Halloween Spooktacular with giveaways, a costume contest and safe trick-or-treating. For this event, anyone who enters the festival before noon in costume will receive free entry.

The Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., although it will be closed on Tuesdays for pumpkin deliveries. Weekend admission is $10. Weekday tickets are $5 on weekdays. Admission is free for children three and under and for seniors over the age of 65. On Wednesdays, first responders and medical personnel along with their immediate families will gain free entry. Veterans and active military and their immediate families will have free entry on Thursdays. On Fridays, educators and their families will also be able to enter for free.

The Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival is held at the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead, located at 419 Founders Park Road in Dripping Springs. The farmstead is a Texas State Historical Landmark included on the National Register of Historic Places. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the Friends of the Pound House Foundation.

In addition to scheduled activities, festival- goers can also participate in games such as corn hole, potato sack races, a kiddie hay maze and horseshoes. Picnicking is also welcome and encouraged.

For complete event details as well as advanced ticket information, visit drippingspringspumpkinfestival.com.