Pumpkinfest kicks off in downtown Montague this Saturday, Oct. 10, at 8 a.m. with activities planned through the morning and afternoon.

Mayor Henry Roesler, Jr. will host the event, now in its 12th year, in his straw hat and denim overalls.

Registration for the Pumpkin Roll will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Ferry St. in Montague. Montague High School DECA volunteers will register all who want to participate. Registration is $1 if you bring a pumpkin, $2 if you need one.

The Pumpkin Roll begins at 11 a.m. and will continue until all pumpkins have been rolled. The roll takes place in several flights: 3 years old and under; 4 to 6 years; 7 to 12 years; 13 to 18 years; 19 to 69 years; and 70 and over.

Blue ribbon winners can visit the Book Nook and Java Shop for a complimentary cup of hot cocoa. The shop will also offer other pumpkin-spiced drinks and snacks.

Pumpkin Bowling also returns this year. The event will be held just off Ferry Street in the alley next to the Senior Center after the Pumpkin Roll.

Everyone is also invited to participate in the Seed Spitting Contest to begin at 11 a.m. in front of Lipka’s Old Fashioned Soda Fountain on Ferry Street. Seeds will be provided by Tri County Feed.

The Farmer’s Market on Church St. will open at 8 a.m. From 8-9 a.m., pumpkins will be weighed on the big scale at Lipka’s Old Fashioned Soda Fountain and an award will be given to the largest pumpkin.

Pumpkin pies will be delivered to the White Lake Senior Center between 9-10 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. will be judged. Pies will be put up for sale, both by slice and by whole pie, at 11 a.m.

The Senior Center will also be the site of a Bake Sale from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Michigan Child ID Program will be held at in the Senior Center at the same time.

The Michigan Child ID Program which is free of charge, provides parents and guardians with a “Child ID Kit” that contains all the vital information necessary to expedite law enforcement efforts to locate a missing child.

Parents will receive a Photo ID Card for them or guardians to carry; a color photo for circulation by police to media throughout the state within minutes of a reported abduction; digital fingerprints; a recorded interview to capture speech, appearance and other characteristics that cannot be changed by cosmetic means; a toothprint dental impression; DNA from cheek cells in saliva; and a complete profile of information required for law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert.

Michigan Child ID Program is a program of the Michigan Masons. No identification information is kept by the Michigan Masons.

Pumpkin painting will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Todd Pharmacy. The White Lake Optimist Club is sponsoring the event with judging scheduled at noon.

Those who wish to enter their pumpkins into the pumpkin carving contest should bring their pumpkins to Greenridge Realty by 11 a.m. Pumpkins can be carved at home and prizes will be awarded to the winners.

In a new addition to the festivities, Double JJ will be offering hayrides in the field behind the Post Office.

Face-painting will take place at the Nuveen Center from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Following the Pumpkin Roll, the Nuveen is also hosting Art in the Road – Feet in the Street. The entire family can participate in the event, with chalk drawing and square dancing held on Ferry Street. This event is sponsored by the Montague DDA.

Animal lovers are invited to stop in to Wanda’s Pets and Supplies to show off their pets. There will be drawings and goodies for both owners and pets.

For those who want to see the old-fashioned cider mill at work, demonstrations will begin at 10 a.m.

HarborLight Credit Union is the corporate sponsor of this year’s Pumpkinfest and the various pumpkin events that take place. For more information, contact the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 231-893-4585 or the City of Montague at 231-893-1155 or check out the website, www.whitelake.org

Pumpkinfest

Schedule Of Events

Saturday, Oct. 10

Farmers Market 8:00 a.m.

Pumpkin Pie Arrival Deadline 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.Senior Center

Pumpkin Pie Judging 10:30 a.m.

Senior Center Pumpkin Roll Registration 9:30 a.m. Dowling/Ferry St.

$1.00 registration with your own pumpkin

$2.00 registration includes pumpkin

Pumpkin Roll on Dowling St. Hill 11 a.m.

Age groups: 1-3, 4-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-69, 70 & over

Pumpkin Painting

10:00-12:00a.m. Todd Pharmacy

Carved Pumpkins

at GreenRidge Realty

11:00 a.m. Display

12:00 p.m. Judging

Bake Sale

9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Senior Center

Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest

12:30p.m. Ferry St.

Pumpkin Food Specials

Local businesses in town

Pumpkin Bowling

Ferry St. after rolling

Free Hayrides by Double JJ Resort

10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. (Water & Church st.)

Art in the Road, Feet in the Street

(ACWL & Nuveen Center) Ferry st. following the pumpkin roll