Great Pumpkin Palooza returns to Innsbrook this Saturday

The family-friendly event kicks off at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 24th.

October 19, 2015; 9:05 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

Innsbrook’s Great Pumpkin Palooza returns this weekend to the North Shore Commons lawn. The fun kicks off Saturday, October 24th at 10:00 AM.

From event organizers:

Innsbrook’s Great Pumpkin Palooza is bringing pumpkin patch fun and games right to your neighborhood! The Innsbrook Foundation is teaming up with the American Cancer Society during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to provide a harvest style, family-fest for all to enjoy.

On Saturday, October 24th, immediately following Short Pump Rotary’s Great Pumpkin Race, families will be kept busy with the multitude of seasonal activities provided. A returning favorite is the Punkin Dunkin. Local engineering firms and high schools are reuniting to put on the greatest pumpkin launching display in Richmond for the second year of the competition. Teams from around Richmond will test their engineering skills and launch pumpkins up to 250 ft. to be the Punkin Dunkin Champions. Winners will stay after the competition to allow the public to launch their own purchased pumpkins from the Palooza pumpkin patch, proceeds benefit American Cancer Society.

The Palooza will be home to traditional festival fun like pony rides, petting zoos, and bouncy houses for the kids. Also, enjoy the trickery of our rock climbing wall as you try to find the fastest way to the top! Accompanying the activities will be live music provided by this year’s battle of the bands contest. Get your cameras ready because there will be a celebrity joining the fun this year, as GEICO’s own “Maxwell” the pig poses for pictures next to his notable blue Jetta being raffled off by the Henrico Education Foundation.

Expect the very best food options provided by local Richmond restaurants. Get in the spirit with seasonal favorites like kettle corn and funnel cakes, enjoy the deliciousness of gourmet hot dogs, or appreciate the diversity with Mediterranean menu items. Don’t forget to complement your meal with a sweet treat or an adult beverage of your choice. Whether you have a gyro or funnel cake in hand, take them to go and peruse the varying local businesses showing the best they have to offer.

Explore the beautiful creations by local jewelry makers and other craft businesses to find that unique gift or decoration for your home. See what programs may be available for children from dance academies to taekwondo, while getting acquainted with health professionals and other new businesses from your community.

Innsbrook’s Great Pumpkin Palooza is FREE to attend, but look for every opportunity to participate and donate to the American Cancer Society.

The North Shore Commons lawn is located at 4951 Lake Brooke Drive in Glen Allen.

Click here for a full schedule of the day’s activities.

Photo: Innsbrook Foundation