Why One Small Illinois Town Claims to Be “Pumpkin Capital of the World”

What do you think of when you hear a place is considered the "Pumpkin Capital of the World?" I envision a place that grows a ton of pumpkins and a place that celebrates the orange gourd for which it has become known. And where do you think a place like this would be? A big city somewhere, or perhaps a large farming community? Nope. The self-proclaimed "Pumpkin Capital of the World" is nestled within the heartland of America, in a quaint and unassuming little town in Illinois.

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If visiting the "Pumpkin Capital of the World" is on your bucket list, then you'll need to plan a trip to Morton, Illinois, a small village located southeast of Peoria. It was back in 1978 when Illinois Governor James Thompson officially declared Morton the "Pumpkin Capital of the World" due to the town's impact on the world's consumption of pumpkins.

Why Does Morton Deserve This Title?

According to Peoria.org...

Embracing the Title

The aforementioned Morton Pumpkin Festival happens every year in September - the next one is scheduled for September 11-14, 2024, in case you want to mark your calendar. As you can imagine, this festival is a big deal - in fact, it was named the 2022 Journal Star Best of the Best Festival/Fair. The festival even has its own Morton Pumpkin TV Network where you can see live footage and pre-recorded memories.

So, if you're looking for a fun, new adventure got add to your Fall itinerary, Morton is the place to be - where the orange gourd takes center stage in a delightful, small-town setting that leaves an indelible mark on anyone lucky enough to experience it.