pumpkin pin search

The kickoff to the Morton Pumpkin Festival is the Great Pumpkin Pin Search. This treasure hunt for the official Festival Pin marks the countdown to the Festival’s Opening Ceremony. Generations of families look forward to this long-standing tradition each year.

The Great Pumpkin Pin Search Clue Dates

  • Hey Wayne (Menold), Pumpkin Party On! It’ll be one for the centuries!

    Our amazing volunteers have started using their expertise.

    We all have a role to play on our volunteer journeys,

    Pumpkin Classic, Princess Pageant…festival events, they never cease.

    Over 1,500 folks on fairgrounds will be rolling up their sleeves.

    Consider volunteering, you’ll earn Pumpkin bucks and a bit of peace.

    Creating clues is perfect for us, we’re two all-time P-Fest groupies.

    We love all of the gourd things and Morton parks with our doggies.

    But now that our ability to rhyme has started to decrease,

    Let’s do some quick reminders so our hunters can be pleased.

    Where do we fit in with our clue that’s meant to tease?

    You know we’re gonna hide the pin on public properties.

    When you search, please be kind, don’t go making enemies.

    The pin will be located in a place with lots of trees.

  • Will be posted August 15th, 2025 at 5PM

  • Will be posted August 22nd at 5pm

  • Will be posted August 29th at 5pm

  • Will be posted September 5th at 5pm

about the search

Four clues will be released (one new clue every Friday for four weeks in a row) unless the Pin is found prior to the next clue. The clues will be posted here on our website, on our Facebook page, and on the door of the Morton Chamber of Commerce office.

The searcher who finds the Pumpkin Pin will win $300 in Chamber Checks, be photographed for the Pumpkin Festival Facebook Page, and will be introduced on the Entertainment Stage!

The Pin will be hidden in a non-dangerous location on PUBLIC property (it will not be hidden on private property). The Pin could be anywhere, indoors or outdoors, in the vicinity of Morton. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to search for the Pin.

Once the Pumpkin Pin is found, an announcement will be posted on the door of the Chamber office, on this website, and on the Morton Pumpkin Festival’s Facebook page. Until then, contestants are encouraged to maintain their search and not be swayed by others who claim to have found the Pumpkin Pin.

Whoever finds the Pin must contact the Morton Chamber of Commerce office for verification. Please text the Morton Chamber of Commerce at (309) 253-0303 with a picture of the pin and your name. Winners will be announced and/or recognized on the Pumpkin Festival Entertainment Stage on Thursday, September 11th beginning at 6:30pm.

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