Blog Post

World's Largest Pumpkin Sculpture: world record in Circleville, Ohio

May 19, 2023

Circleville, Ohio, United States--Shaped and painted like a giant pumpkin, the giant pumpkin sculpture in Circleville, Ohio promotes Circleville's annual Pumpkin Show festival; the water tower, which holds a million gallons, was built in 1976 but it wasn’t until 1997 that it was painted to resemble a giant gourd; 1300 gallons of paint were needed to repaint the water tower on the inside and the outside and a stem was added for authenticity; it sets the world record for being the World's Largest Pumpkin Sculpture, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"Shaped and painted like a giant pumpkin. Promotes Circleville's annual Pumpkin Show festival, billed as "the greatest free show on earth," the Roadside America says.

"Circleville is home to the annual Pumpkin Festival. The town's water tower is shaped and painted like a giant pumpkin. Drop into the fest for pumpkin crafts, cookies, ice cream, etc.

"Many believe the stem on top of the tower holds water, but in fact it doesn't. It was added to make the tower look like a pumpkin. The tower was repainted a few years back, both inside and outside. The annual Circleville Pumpkin Show is the highlight of the year for Circleville."

"Circleville is home to the annual Pumpkin Festival. The town's water tower is shaped and painted like a giant pumpkin." The folks from Circleville, Ohio, sure know how to whip up some soaring enthusiasm for their annual Pumpkin Show, first held in 1903," the Road Trippers says..

"(While it sounds quaint, it has grown into an extravaganza that attracts 400,000 visitors!) The water tower, which holds a million gallons, was built in 1976 but it wasn’t until 1997 that it was painted to resemble a giant gourd. (The stem doesn’t really have a function, it was added for authenticity!)"

"A landmark that is unique to Circleville is the Pumpkin Water Tower. The Water Tower was built in 1976 and repainted in 1997," the American Silo Art says.

"1300 gallons of paint were needed to repaint the water tower on the inside and the outside. A stem was added for authenticity. Many believe the stem on top of the tower holds water, but in fact it doesn't. It was added to make the tower look like a pumpkin.

"The Circleville Pumpkin Show, Ohio's Oldest and Largest Festival, is a member of The Ohio Festivals & Events Association. The first Pumpkin Show was held in 1903. George Haswell, Mayor of Circleville at that time, decided it would be a great idea to try to get the country folks and the city folks together. So he invited the country folks to bring the best of their produce to town on designated dates and display them, so that the city folks would be able to appreciate their efforts. The Circleville Pumpkin Show has always been held on the streets of downtown Circleville."

"It’s the “Greatest Free Show on Earth.” It hosts seven different parades in half as many days. This includes the Pumpkin Parade, Pet Parade, and Baby Parade, to name a few. The events also include a Big Wheel Race, the world’s largest pumpkin pie, a pumpkin toss, a pie-eating competition, and Fun Show. Additional contests of interest include hog calling, egg toss, and pumpkin carving. Many displays, arts, crafts, and live entertainment also accompany the festivities, as well as plenty of pumpkins, squash, and gourds," the Ohio Traveler says.

"There will be more than 20,000 pumpkin pies for sale and in excess of 100,000 pounds of pumpkins on display. By the time you leave, you’ll be fed up with pumpkins—that doesn’t mean melancholy—it’s just that everything you’re fed is pumpkin flavored—donuts, pancakes, cookies, ice cream, cake, fudge, cream puffs, even burgers. If you want to burn off some of those calories, bring your running shoes. There is a five-mile run usually scheduled for Saturday morning—you may need it.

"Getting to Circleville is easy. It’s just off of Route 23, about twenty miles south of Columbus. Before you see the signs, you’ll recognize the water tower painted like a pumpkin—stem and all. Don’t want to drive? There are more than thirty bus tours that stop at the show. Information on the tours is also available through the above phone listing."

"Every autumn, the small town of Circleville, Ohio features a massive 4-day pumpkin festival that’s practically a way of life in the fall season. The Circleville Pumpkin Show takes over the town with pumpkin flavored everything, amusement park rides, games for all ages, live entertainment, themed parades and more," the Only In Your State says.

"With a population of just under 14,000, this small town truly comes alive in the fall with The Circleville Pumpkin Show and pumpkins as far as the eye can see. Each year, more than 400,00 people flock to this small town to attend The Pumpkin Show.

"But even when the fall season ends, the town is still known for its pumpkin water tower, which—of course—stands year-round."

Reviews from TripAdvisor

"The Pumpkin Show is by far one of the greatest things on the face of this planet. It becomes a total madhouse revolving around everything pumpkin. If you can think of anything that could be made into a pumpkin flavor, it exists here by the barrel full."

"I couldn't tell you much about the pumpkin festival itself because I always ended up doing something different but they do have a giant water tower there that looks like a pumpkin so they must be pretty dedicated :-}"

"The Circleville Pumpkin Show is GREAT! We are festival fans and living in the midwest affords us the opportunity to see a wide variety of fairs and festivals each year. The town is small and basically closes down for this event each year."

"Pumpkinshow is great at introducing urbanites & out-of-towners to what life is like here in Rural Ohio. It's simply amazing - People get along, there's no fighting, just overpriced, un-healthy food that everyone can't get enough of."