BRADFORD — On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Bradford Pumpkin Show will be hosting its 18th annual Little Miss & Master Pumpkin pageant. The pageant will begin at 4:30 p.m. on the north end entertainment stage with the winners announced following the parade.

This event is generously sponsored by Littman-Thomas Agency, your community’s residential and business insurance provider since the 1860’s.

All contestants must be between 2-5 years of age as of Oct. 1, and must be able to walk onto the stage by him/herself. The theme for this year’s pageant is Family Game Night. Whether your favorite game is Monopoly, Clue, Battleship or more digital like Mario Kart or Fortnite, represent your favorite game through your creative costume and join them for the 95th Bradford Pumpkin Show.

All contestants will be judged on stage in the following categories: Appearance, Stage Presence/Poise, Originality and Crowd Response. There will be no pre-judging or interviewing of the contestants.

The Little Miss & Master Pumpkin winners will each receive $50 and a trophy. first runners-up winners will receive $25 and a trophy, and second runners-up winners will receive $15 and a trophy.

They will also award a trophy to the Best Costume Little Miss & Master Pumpkin contestants.

All contestants are invited to ride through Wednesday’s parade in their own vehicle. If participating in the parade, you must have your vehicle marked on both sides with the child’s name and be at Bradford High School at 6:15 p.m. for the parade line-up.

If you are interested in entering, please send a $20, non-refundable check made payable to the Bradford Pumpkin Show, c/o Kathy Weldy, 426 School Street, Bradford, Ohio 45308. Entry deadline is Sept. 30. Along with the entry fee, please include your child’s name, date of birth, parent’s names, e-mail address and telephone number where you can be reached. Also include a description of their costume and note their special interest(s) (eg: favorite cartoon, pet, hobby, etc.).

In addition, please note whether you will be participating in the Wednesday evening parade prior to the contest. Registration forms are available on the Pumpkin Show’s website (bradfordpumpkinshow.com).

Again, this year they will hold a Little Miss & Master Pumpkin Float Contest prior to the parade. They ask that all floats be brought to the Bradford High School parking lot on Wednesday by 6:15 pm for judging. Best Float Overall will receive $75 and a trophy, second place will receive $50 and a trophy, and third place receives a trophy.

They ask that the Little Miss & Master Pumpkin winners ride on the royalty float in the parade on Thursday and Saturday of the 2024 Bradford Pumpkin Show. Float winners are also invited back to participate in these parades. Please be at Bradford High School by 6:15 p.m. for the parade line up on Thursday and 3:15 p.m. on Saturday.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Weldy at (937) 417-3010.