Ribbon Cutting Opens 2025 Festival
Early Thursday evening, Belmont County Tourism Director Jackee Pugh cut the ribbon to officially open the 61st annual Barnesville Pumpkin Festival.
Pugh was joined by pumpkin festival committee members, John Rataiczak, “official voice of the festival”, and the festival royalty, Queen Ella Keller, Festival Princess Maggie Schnegg and Mini Miss Rose Jefferis.
WTOV Meteorologist Nathan Shutt broadcast the event live while WTRF and other local media outlets were present to record the ceremony.
Pugh, a St. Clairsville native, has fond memories of attending the festival as a child. Like many, she left the county to obtain her education and spent several years working in the marketing field for businesses and higher education institutions before returning to Belmont County in 2008 to raise her daughter, Paige, who is also a fan of the festival!
In October 2021 she was named director of the Belmont County Tourism Council.
A long time Barnesville supporter and booster, Pugh was instrumental in the community being named a “Best Hometown” by Ohio Magazine earlier this year.
The author of a monthly opinion piece promoting the county’s tourism opportunities, Ratacizak read excerpts from her September column:
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival has been a hallmark of fall in eastern Ohio for more than six decades, drawing families, friends, and visitors from across the state and region. This year’s celebration takes place September 25-28 in historic downtown Barnesville, and it promises to be one of the best weekends of the season.
I am especially honored to be cutting the ribbon at this year’s opening ceremony–kicking off four days of fun, tradition, and community pride.
What makes the Pumpkin Festival so special isn’t just the giant gourds or the pumpkin pie (although those are some of my favorites!)–it’s the way the community comes together to make it happen. For generations, local volunteers have poured their time and heart into this event, ensuring that every detail–from the parades to the contests to the food booths–creates a welcoming, small-town atmosphere that keeps people coming back year after year.
But pumpkins aren’t the only stars of the show. Visitors can enjoy everything from quirky contests (hog calling, anyone?) to toe-tapping music, a bustling craft market, the classic car show, and, of course, the Giant Pumpkin Parade that fills the streets with hometown pride. And let’s not forget the food–pumpkin rolls, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pie–oh my! All the festival favorites taste even better when enjoyed outdoors on a crisp fall afternoon.
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival is more than an event–it’s a tradition. It’s about celebrating harvest season, showcasing community spirit, and welcoming visitors to experience the warmth of Belmont County.
Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, I invite you to join me in Barnesville for a weekend full of pumpkins, parades, and memories in the making.
Barnesville Area News Needs Your Support!
We're dedicated to providing coverage of the local happenings in Barnesville and the neighboring communities.
As a non-profit entity, we rely on the donations of readers like you.
Make a donation today and you'll be helping keep local news alive in the Barnesville area.