Sweet Pumpkin

Music, crafts and chili cook-off usher in Halloween

Michelle Stuckey

Wesley Zafirau, 2, plays with pumpkins at the United Methodist Church in Destrehan.

The self-proclaimed “pumpkin church” will host its 12th Annual Pumpkin Patch and 9th Annual Fall Family Festival this weekend.

The festival will be held by St. Charles United Methodist Church on Ormond Boulevard in Destrehan on Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The church will have its pumpkin patch on display Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Besides the church’s 2,000 pumpkins, the event also includes a car show, chili cook-off, live bands, games, craft booths and dance team performances.

“It’s a one-day festival to invite the community to our church to have some fun,” said Charlie Matthews, festival coordinator.

The car show will begin at 8 a.m. and the crafts and games booths will open at 9 a.m. Matthews said the festival usually has about 70 custom cars and 25 craft booths.

Opening ceremonies will kick off at 10 a.m. followed by Destrehan’s own Rowdy Rough Boys band at 10:30 a.m. Chili cook-off prizes will be awarded at 11:30 a.m.

Spectators of the chili cook-off will have the chance to purchase a cup for $5 and eat all the chili they can handle.
Other bands in the line-up include Running with Diego and Summer Breeze.

Parking for the event will be across the street at the Jerusalem Shriner Temple.