September 27 - October 1, 2023
Indiana’s Oldest Festival! Great family fun, clean & safe rides, craft exhibits, food, free entertainment nightly, contests; Sat parade starts at 10:30 am with Giant Pumpkins. Rides for all ages, art show, music, and more 5 pm-10 pm nightly. Sun 1 pm-5 pm.
Thank you to everyone who visited last year's Pumpkin Show. We hope you had a great time and we hope to see you again this year!
Our Annual Pumpkin Show takes place on the Ripley County County Courthouse Square in Versailles, two blocks north of U.S. 50. Look for the carnival sounds and lights! Rain or shine, the stage shows go on, so bring your lawn chairs, and umbrellas or ponchos to ward off any precipitation! Produced by the Versailles Lions Club!
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: http://www.versaillespumpkinshow.com
History of the Show
A.F Beer and his famous Pumpkin show
The Versailles Pumpkin Show was the brainchild of Alfred H. Beer, the enterprising Versailles jeweler. Beer was eternally thinking of some advertising scheme for his jewelry business. In 1889 he topped all his former ideas by starting a "Pumpkin Show". Other neighboring towns have tried to emulate his baby but always failed.
On Saturday, October 14, 1899, A.F. staged his first show, and he promised five prizes. Prize winners were: Geo. W. Watkins, from Elrod, won a gold-filled watch for the heaviest pumpkin, it weighed 74 pounds, 5 ounces; second prize went to Henry Stegemiller whose pumpkin was a 68 pounder, his prize was a gravy ladle; Christ Thomas, of Cross Plains, won 3rd with a 64 pound pumpkin, he received six teaspoons; Thomas E. Wilson, Osgood native, won 4th, a fine clock, his pumpkin measured 5 feet and 3 inches in circumference; Ugliest Pumpkin winner was Henry Ballman of Versailles, he was rewarded with a violin.
Beer continued promoting the show each year until 1907 when the merchants of Versailles, finally realizing its merits, got together and stage the annual show. If you believe the old newspapers, each succeeding year drew the largest crowd ever. Farm products, flower arrangements, fancy sewing, culinary skill, and other handicrafts were judged for prizes. Later, parades were the stage, and each year these became a larger crowd draw. Finally, commercial rides were added, much to the delight of the younger set. Lastly, a big "Pumpkin Show Saturday Night Dance" added to the fun. An annual art show is a yearly event today.
For many years, neighboring town businessmen sponsored aerial acts, stage acts, etc, which were enjoyed by the crowd. This all stemmed from A.F. Beer's little business scheme and is one of the longest-running shows in the state.
Enjoy some pictures from Pumpkin Show Past
