Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Something that is sure to make children and parents happy at the Versailles Pumpkin Show this year is there will be an added night of discounted rides.

Opening night, Wednesday, September 21 is the night when all rides only take one ticket. Then on Thursday night, September 22 riders can enjoy the fun around the square on the “buddy” system - two can ride for the price of one! Be sure to get your ride tickets in advance to save even more!

From the beginning night when the King and Queen contest is held at 7:00 p.m. until the last event on Saturday, members of the Versailles Lions Club have been working hard to make sure your time is enjoyable. And, best of all, proceeds from the event will be turned back into the community to benefit those who live here, according to Lions Club President Richard Zinz.

There will be live music on the stage each night with Cheyenne Burress performing along with the South Ripley Young Confederates on Wednesday night before the King and Queen Contest. After the contest, Rhythm and Groove, a group consisting of Sandy Pickett of Versailles and Jill McIntosh of Paris Crossing, will be rocking the stage with their talents. They each have performed separately, but together they are a dynamite duo.

Thursday night stage performances will feature the 49th annual Pumpkin Show Princess Contest and the 25th annual Prince Contest sponsored by Ripley Publishing Co. This year’s contestants are: Bradley Cooke, son of Doug and Cheryl Cooke and Ariel Haessig, daughter of Rob and Rebecca Hasseig, who will be representing Milan Elementary School.

Trenton Roell, son of Shannon Roell and Jeff Roell along with Ava Obermeyer, daughter of Doug and Sarah Obermeyer, will be representing Batesville Primary School.

Contestants from Jac-Cen-Del Elementary include: Austin Bowling, son of Keith and Heather Bowling and Siya Patel, daughter of Ketan and Vinal Patel.

Sunman Elementary School will be represented by Mason Schutte, son of Scott and Jenny Schutte and Olivia Lehman, daughter of Roger and Cathy Lehman.

St. Louis Parochial School will be represented by Will Pulskamp, son of Doug and Sarah Pulskamp and Evelyn Storms, daughter of Shawnn and Diana Storms.

River McAdams, grandson of Pam McAdams and Lily Welch, daughter of Alan and Crystal Welch, will be representing South Ripley Elementary with Luke Jackson, son of Andrew and Renee Jackson and Kyra Wolfe, daughter of Kalen and Kristi Wolfe, representing St. Nicholas Catholic School.

From 5-6:30 p.m. the group, One Lost Sheep, will perform Christian music live on stage.
The 23rd Annual Pumpkin Show Baking Contest will be held Thursday morning at the office of Ripley Publishing Co. (115 S. Washington Street) with the winners being named on stage that evening. Remember cooks, there is a $200 “Best of Show Award” along with monetary awards in each of the four categories. (See insert in today’s paper for details)

Common Ground Bluegrass Band will take the stage following the 23rd Annual Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest on Thursday where area schools will vie for the coveted title. This year’s contestants are: Nathan Thompson and Elle Roeder from Milan High School; Codie Horan and Alanie Hooton from Jac-Cen-Del High School; Alex Messer and Megan Bush from the Southeastern Career Center and Alec Gramaglia and Kaitlyn Welch from South Ripley High School.

Friday, September 23 the rides will open at 5 p.m. as they do both previous nights. A Vocal Talent Contest will be featured from 5-6:30 p.m. after which Micah McFarland and Rick K & The Allnighters will take the night away.

Those growing the giant pumpkins for the Saturday event will need to know that weigh-in is at Gilpin’s Monuments located one block south of the stoplight in Versailles on US 421. All pumpkins will then be put at the end of the parade and the winners will be announced from the stage.

The ever-popular parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. near the old Tyson Methodist Church. There will be no parking along the parade route after 2 a.m. that morning as organizers are getting floats in place. Call 689-6524 for more information. Versailles Lions Club members Linda Chandler and Wanda Burnett will emcee the parade on Saturday.

New this year after the parade is the Gold Star Chili Cheese Coney Eating Contest at 12:15 p.m. Also, the Lions Club is offering a free pumpkin decorating opportunity and face painting for children in grades one through four on Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m. near the stage area. The Tyson Library Teens will be assisting the children. Each pumpkin decorated can be taken home by the participant.

The Pedal Tractor Pull and Race will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday followed by The Secrets Band performing live on stage from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The 12th Annual Versailles Pumpkin Show Cheerleading Competition will be held at 4:30 p.m. The always popular Keith Swinney Band will finish out the 109th Versailles Pumpkin Show from 6-8 p.m. Saturday evening.

Tri Kappa will hold their annual Art Show in the lobby of the courthouse each evening. More information on the show is available by calling Mary Ann McCoy at 689-6115.

While there are fun items on the agenda from beginning to end, there are some rules, according to Zinz. He said this year there will be no bicycles, skateboards, dogs or people without shirts on the square during the Pumpkin Show. “This will be strictly enforced,” he told The Versailles Republican. He doesn’t want to put a damper on the affair, but said there has to be rules to keep everybody safe.

For the residents of Versailles, there is a house decorating contest that takes place the week of Pumpkin Show. There will be monetary prizes this year for first $75, second $50 and third $25. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to showcase your place and get some cash in doing so.

The Versailles Lions Club is thankful for the opportunity to serve their community by organizing the Versailles Pumpkin Show year after year. Last year alone the Lions Club put over $14,000 back into the community through a variety of avenues including scholarships and much more.

They are passionate about the program that goes into schools and festivals that gives eye tests to children. They even purchase glasses when needed. Their motto is "to serve".
Come to the Pumpkin Show, have a great time and support this great organization that supports its local community.

For the full schedule for this year’s Pumpkin Show, see insert inside today’s paper.