Volant Shops to sponsor Autumn Pumpkin Festival

Staff report

VOLANT, Pa.

Volant Shops are sponsoring an Autumn Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Sunday.

On Saturday, a Chili Cook-off from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volant Fire Hall will headline activities. Those stopping by are invited to taste all the recipes and vote for their favorite. The cook-off is sponsored by The Kitchen Shoppe, with proceeds benefiting the fire department.

Other events Saturday include performances by keyboardist Connor VanSickle at the winery from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; guitarist Sue Gartland performing at a time to be announced at Volant Mills; and live jazz by the Doug Butchy Trio from 1 to 3 p.m. at Special-Teas, Etc.

Stella the Monkey will tell pumpkin stories on the Volant Mill porch, where photos of people in vintage clothing will be taken. A woodcarver will be at work at Miss Scarlett’s Gift Parlor, and local certified gemologist Linda Metzer will be available to make, repair or appraise jewelry. Amish doughnuts and baked goods also will be available.

Next Sunday, the Fall Traveling Tea will kick off at The Kitchen Shoppe with nine stops throughout town, and the public can enjoy sweet and savory tidbits and a special tea created by local shop owners. Preregistration is required by calling The Kitchen Shoppe at 800-435-0015. In addition, guitarist Eric Bruening will be performing many styles of acoustic music.

On both days, featured events will include an outdoor barbecue in the grassy area behind the bank; a beehive demonstration behind the bank by Dave Schultze from Nutt Road Honey Farm; fresh vegetables for purchase; a fall craft corner behind the bank, where kids and adults can try their hand at tin punching, pumpkin decorating and making a cornhusk doll; delicious pumpkin rolls made by the women of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in front of the Blue Heron; fudge-dipped apples at Attic Treasures; homemade kettle corn in front of the Depot; hayrides from noon to 4 p.m.; haunted hallways in the Depot Shops; and games such as Pumpkin Cornhole and Ghost Bull’s Eye at 1906 Mercantile and at James Creek Galleries.

Volant is on Pa. Route 208 about two miles east of New Wilmington. More information is available at www.volantshops.com.