Celebrate Fall at The Pony Express Museum for its annual Pumpkin Fest October 2-4, 2026. Admission is FREE.

Activities include a pumpkin mountain lighting ceremony (Friday at 8 p.m.), a children’s costume parade (Saturday at 11 a.m.), a petting zoo, games, crafts, food vendors, and more.

Festival hours:

• Friday: 5 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday: noon to 9 p.m.
• Sunday: noon to 4:40 p.m.

Pumpkinfest 2026 Entertainment Schedule

Entertainment Hours: Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 4:30 p.m.

Main Stage

Friday

• 5 to 6 p.m. Pumpkinfest Honor Ceremony
• 6 to 6:30 p.m. Will Stuck-Welcome/Announcements
• 6:30 to 7 p.m. Music/Band Transition
• 7 to 7:45 p.m. Phil Vandel Band
• 8:15 to 9 p.m. Phil Vandel Band

Saturday

• 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. Will Stuck Welcome
• 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Michael Shaun Brown
• 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Stephanie Gummelt
• 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Cade Polsgrove
• 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. BJ Talley Magic
• 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Jerry Maccoux & The Crew
• 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Jerry Maccoux & The Crew
• 6:30 to 7 p.m. Music/Band Sound Check
• 7 to 7:45 p.m. Doc’s 100 Proof Band
• 8:15 to 9 p.m. Doc’s 100 Proof Band

Sunday

• 10 to 11 a.m. Church Service-1st Baptist Church
• 12 to 3 p.m. Hontz Family Band
• 3 to 4 p.m. Truth Academy Dance

Pumpkin Mountain

Pumpkin Mountain

Friday

• 6 to 7:45 p.m. Music
• 7:45 p.m. SJFD, Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem sung by Phil Vandel
• 8 p.m. Pumpkin Mountain Lighting Ceremony

Saturday

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Will Stuck-Costume Awards
• 5 to 5:30 p.m. Benton Orchestra
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. Creatures by Theresa (West End)
• 7:45 p.m. Flag Raising/Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem sung by Sophia Ochse
• 8 p.m. Pumpkin Mountain Lighting Ceremony

Sunday

• 1 to 3 p.m. Creatures by Theresa

Roving Entertainment

Friday

• 5 to 8 p.m. Kirkman Balloon Artist
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aubrey-WhipIt

Saturday

• 1 to 5 p.m. Kirkman Balloon Artist
• 7 to 8 p.m. Aubrey-WhipIt
• 6 to 8 p.m. BJ Talley-Magic

Sunday

• 12 to 3 p.m. Kirkman Balloon Artist
• 1 to 3 p.m. Aubrey-WhipIt

Children’s Tent Hours

• Friday: 5 to 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday: Noon to 7:30 p.m.

The Pony Express Museum is located at 914 Penn Street in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

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