Devon town to come alive with pumpkins and street food galore

It's sure to be loads of fun!

With pumpkins galore, sizzling street food, and a vibrant showcase of local crafts, Cullompton is set to come alive.

Cullompton’s annual Autumn Festival is happening in Cullompton town centre on Saturday, October 12, between 10 am and 2 pm.

Organiser Judy Morris said: “It’s a celebration feast with locally produced food and crafts. There will be loads of fun, exciting and free family activities at Cullompton’s Autumn Festival 2024, including free drop-in children's workshops in the Walronds garden, which include pumpkin painting.

There are also children’s crafts in the Baptist Church, a hanging basket workshop, and lots of food stalls at the Farmers Market. A craft market at the Walronds and cooking demonstrations at the Cullompton Community Centre are also must destinations with many different offerings to tantalise the taste buds.

The Cullompton Ace Majorettes, Bradninch Millers Morris Dancers, the Crooked Tempo Samba Band and a Bulgarian Dance troupe will be there to entertain and keep things buzzing.

Children’s activities in the Walronds garden include free craft and gardening activities, face painting, and a drop-in Halloween jewellery workshop, both of which incur a small charge. The Baptist Church will be serving teas and coffees between 10am and 2 pm and Pumpkin Soup with crusty bread from 12pm to 2pm.

Keeping to the Pumpkin theme, there will be a Pumpkin Art competition, bring your decorated or carved pumpkin to the Walronds by 9.30 am on Saturday for judging; the talented ladies from Fudges Wool and Haberdashers have made crocheted pumpkins which are hidden in various shop windows for children to find.

Entry forms can be collected from the Hayridge Café from Monday 7 October and must be handed in at the Baptist Church on Saturday morning between 10 am and 1 pm “The Splash Café at the Hayridge will be offering a free pumpkin cookie with every tea/coffee purchased.

Cordon Bleu Chef Jane will prepare a delicious celebration tiramisu at 10.30 am in the Cullompton Community Centre followed by variations on a Harvest Festival Feast of a casserole (with meat, vegetarian and vegan options) at 11.15 am and then Miriam will be preparing a smoked salmon pate at 12 noon. Recipes will be available for all dishes plus opportunities to taste. Entry is free but there will be a prize draw to help cover costs.

“Cullompton’s SpringFest and Autumn Festival are annual events, which take place on the 2nd Saturday of April and October, with a committee of volunteers working hard behind the scenes to bring these events to Cullompton’s High Street. Come along to the Farmers Market at 10 am to see the festival officially opened by Cullompton Town Mayor Tony Spring and Devon County Councillor John Berry. A breathtaking dance by a local Bulgarian dance group will follow it.

“Bring the family into the town centre, find out what the local shops and businesses offer and maybe stay for lunch in one of the town’s amazing eateries.”

For more information, get in touch with info@walronds.com or visit the 2024 Cullompton Autumn Festival Facebook page.