About This Festival

The Westville Pumpkin Festival is an annual celebration of the pumpkin harvest, held on October 4, 2025, at Prairie Meadow Park in Westville, La Porte County, Indiana. It is a family-friendly event featuring pumpkin baked goods, craft and food vendors, a parade, a 5K run/walk, live entertainment, family games, a pumpkin pie eating contest, a pumpkin bake-off, a basket raffle, and more. The festival runs roughly from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and is handicapped accessible.

Event Location and Surroundings:
Prairie Meadow Park, located at the corner of Highway 421 and U.S. 6, is a community park in Westville that supports various family activities. Recent investments have made the park more accessible, including a handicapped-accessible pavilion and playground. The park provides a welcoming, outdoor environment ideal for a harvest festival atmosphere, with green spaces suitable for the parade, games, and vendor booths.

Vibe of the Event:
The festival has a strong community and family focus, aiming to celebrate local culture and pumpkin harvest traditions in a fun, inclusive setting. Activities are designed to engage all ages through food, physical activity (5K run/walk), competitions, and crafts. The involvement of local philanthropic groups such as Westville Tri Kappa adds a charitable and cultural dimension, creating a warm and community-oriented vibe.

History and Founding:
The festival has been held for over 30 years and is organized by the Westville Tri Kappa, a local philanthropic organization promoting charity, culture, and education in Indiana. Over time, it has grown to include a variety of family-friendly events and fundraising opportunities, cementing its role as a key cultural and social event in the region.

Main Activities and Their Rough Schedule:

  • 8:30 AM: Festival opens at Prairie Meadow Park; food and craft vendors begin operation.
  • Morning: 5K Run/Walk starts (exact time typically early morning).
  • Throughout the Day:
    • Pumpkin baked goods available from various vendors.
    • Basket raffle ongoing.
    • Family games for children.
    • Pumpkin pie eating contest.
    • Pumpkin bake-off competition.
    • Live entertainment including musical acts or other stage performances.
  • Parade: Held during the day, featuring local groups and festive pumpkin-themed floats.
  • Additional Events:
    • Tractor pull (mentioned in some sources, may be part of the activities).
    • Opportunities for purchasing food and enjoying seasonal treats.
    • Raffle draws.

The schedule is designed to keep the festival lively from morning into late afternoon, with a consistent flow of entertainment and activities.

Additional Information:

  • The festival encourages local business sponsorship at various levels (Platinum to Bronze), contributing to the event’s success and community involvement.
  • Access is easy via major local highways (US 6 and Hwy 421).
  • It promotes both cultural celebration and fundraising benefits for the community.

Overall, the Westville Pumpkin Festival is a long-standing, well-loved fall tradition that offers a mix of food, fun, fitness, and community spirit within a relaxed outdoor park environment.