The Greene County Pumpkin Festival: Autumn’s Best-Kept Secret in Tennessee
When fall rolls into Greene County, the hills turn to gold, church signs sprout pie contests, and the air picks up that unmistakable scent of woodsmoke and fallen leaves. For those in the know, it means one thing: time for the Greene County Pumpkin Festival. This is not your basic roadside stand or one-day market—this festival is a local legend, a family tradition, and maybe the best excuse you’ll find to eat your weight in pumpkin bread.
Whether you’re a die-hard autumn lover, a fan of quirky contests, or just looking for real community spirit, the Pumpkin Festival is the highlight of Greeneville’s October. Here’s everything you need to know to catch the magic (and a few pumpkin seeds in your teeth).
How the Pumpkin Festival Began
Like many of Greene County’s best traditions, the Pumpkin Festival started small: in the early 1980s, a handful of local growers and home bakers put together a harvest fair in a church parking lot. Word spread, pies got bigger, and by the 1990s, the event had moved to larger fields outside town, picking up hayrides, music stages, and a petting zoo along the way.
Today, the Greene County Pumpkin Festival draws thousands—locals, folks from neighboring counties, and even a few out-of-state leaf-peepers. It’s grown but never lost its homespun heart.
What to Expect: Festival Highlights
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off: Watch as local growers cart in truckloads of monster gourds, some tipping the scales at 800+ pounds. The record for Greene County still stands at just over 1,120 lbs!
Pie Contests: From classic pumpkin pie to pumpkin cheesecake, cookies, and even savory soups. Don’t be shy—sample everything and cast your vote for People’s Choice.
Crafts & Local Artisans: Handmade quilts, fall décor, pottery, and everything in between, with plenty of friendly faces behind each table.
Live Music: Bluegrass, country, and gospel on the main stage. Some years feature local school bands and surprise “celebrity” guests from East Tennessee radio and TV.
Kids’ Zone: Pumpkin painting, sack races, bounce houses, and a scarecrow contest where little ones build their own wild creations from hay and old clothes.
Hayrides & Corn Mazes: A chance to see the countryside in full color, with bumpy rides through pumpkin patches and trails lined with scarecrows.
Food Stands: Beyond pumpkin everything (bread, donuts, soup), you’ll find BBQ, kettle corn, fried apple pies, and the best sweet tea this side of the Nolichucky.
Local Tips for the Best Festival Experience
Arrive Early: Parking fills up fast. The best pies and crafts go quick!
Bring Cash: Some booths accept cards, but many are cash-only.
Dress for the Weather: October can swing from chilly mornings to sunny afternoons—layers are your friend.
Try Something New: Pumpkin chili? Roasted seeds with cayenne? You’ll never know if you don’t try.
Photo Ops: Don’t miss the giant pumpkin stack for a family photo (bonus points if everyone wears flannel).
More Than Just a Party—Supporting Local Farms
The Pumpkin Festival isn’t just about fun; it’s about celebrating Greene County’s agricultural roots. Local farms donate pumpkins for contests, and proceeds from some events support youth ag programs, 4-H clubs, and food pantries. Many of the seeds sold and swapped at the fest come from family farms that have worked these hills for generations.
Real-World Stories and Traditions
Ask any Greeneville kid about their first pumpkin patch hayride or the year the donkey escaped the petting zoo, and you’ll get a story. Whole families return each year, competing for the blue ribbon or volunteering in the pie tent. Couples get engaged in the pumpkin patch, and more than one local has had their wedding photos snapped against a wall of orange and gold.
Classic Recipe: Pumpkin Bread
No Greene County autumn is complete without homemade pumpkin bread—moist, spiced, and best eaten still a little warm.
Festival Pumpkin Bread
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup water
Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin, and water. Combine and pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 60–70 minutes. Cool slightly, slice thick, and share (if you must).
Why the Pumpkin Festival Still Matters
The Greene County Pumpkin Festival is autumn at its purest: a burst of color, a crowd of neighbors, and a taste of traditions old and new. It’s a reminder that the best things grow from the ground up—rooted in community, watered with hard work, and spiced with a little bit of friendly competition. If you love fall, or just want to see Greeneville at its friendliest, there’s nowhere better to be.
See Also:
Tennessee Pumpkin Festivals: https://www.tnvacation.com/events/greene-county-pumpkin-festival
Greene County Agricultural Extension: https://greene.tennessee.edu/
Greeneville Events Calendar: https://www.greenevilletn.gov/calendar
History of Pumpkin Festivals: https://www.farmflavor.com/tennessee/tennessee-agriculture/tennessee-pumpkin-festivals/
Pumpkin Bread Recipes: https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/pumpkin-bread