HOLLAND FARMERS MARKET HOSTS SECOND ANNUAL FALL FAMILY FUNDAY

Pumpkins are ripening and Holland is ready to celebrate fall. In honor of the autumn season the Holland Farmers Market is hosting its second annual Fall Family Funday on Saturday, October 3. From 10am until 2pm, the Market will host a variety of kids activities, a pumpkin pie eating contest, sponsored by Russ’ Restaurant, and pumpkin carving demonstrations from master carver, Derek Maxfield. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the changing of seasons!

Kids activities include pumpkin painting, bean bag toss, needle in a haystack candy hunt, fall crafts, candy pumpkin guessing game and more. Pumpkin painting is $1 and all activities are free of charge. Vander Mill Cider Mill and Winery will be bringing an antique cider mill for display and Grand Daddy Kettle Corn will be popping fresh popcorn.

The pumpkin pie eating contest will begin at noon. Contestants must be eighteen or older to participate, but spectators of all ages will enjoy cheering on the contestants as they race to finish pie crust, whipped cream, and all. Contestants are challenged to finish their pie in a 5-minute time frame and are unable to use their hands or drink any sort of beverage. The winner will receive a $50 cash prize! In the case of a tie, the winner will be chosen by the volume of their fans’ cheers, so be sure to come and support your hungry participant!

Master carver, Derek Maxfield, has been entertaining folks with pumpkin carving exhibitions for many years. He shows the audience how to create fun and unusual carvings using a variety of techniques. Derek will be using everything from spoons to power tools to create intricate and interesting pumpkin designs. His exhibitions will be at 10:30am, 11:30am and 1:00pm. Only the first fifteen applicants can participate in the pie eating contest, so the pressure is on to turn in your registration forms. Registration forms and the $3 entry fees will be accepted at the Principal Shopping District prior to the day of the event (44 W. 9th St., Holland). If spaces are still available the day of the event, you can enter up to one hour before the start of the contest. Cash or checks are accepted but please no credit cards. You can find the registration form at www.hollandfarmersmarket.com/fallfamilyfunday.

In case of rain, activities will be canceled.

The Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm from mid-May to mid-December rain or shine. The City of Holland’s Department of Leisure and Cultural Services hosts the Market at the Eighth Street Marketplace in Downtown Holland. Visit www.hollandfarmersmarket.com or contact Market Master Candy Todd at 616-355-1130 for more information about the Market. No pets of any kind are allowed at the Market.