Stone Mountain's Pumpkin Festival *WIN Passes!*

Every year for the last ten years, Georgia families are invited to take part in the fall festivities with fun filled games and family shows at Stone Mountain Park’s Annual Pumpkin Festival. Providing non- spooky fun for the whole family, this year is set to be the best ever! September 28th through October 28th the Crossroads at the base of Stone Mountain will be transformed into a magical fall wonderland.

New this year is The Mayor’s Rockin’ Costume Party. Children are encouraged to don Halloween costumes, dance around on stage with the Mayor of Pumpkinfest and learn new fun choreographed dances including the Pumpkin Mash.

Also new this year is the debut of Spookley the Square Pumpkin into the festival’s activities. Spookley, a character from Author Joe Troiano’s book “The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” is the “spokes-pumpkin” for National Bullying Prevention Month during October. Spookley’s story resonates with children and parents as it offers a message of tolerance and acceptance. Families will enjoy hearing the tale at the festival’s Storytelling stage.

Spookley makes another appearance at the Spookley Family Scavenger Hunt. The hunt is for those families seeking more of a challenge as they try to find Spookley the Square Pumpkin hidden in various areas throughout the park. Completed scavenger hunts automatically enter families into a drawing to win a one-night stay at the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort and a four-pack of Snow Mountain™ tickets valued at $112. One four- pack will be awarded each weekend during the festival.

Back this year, by popular demand, is “Pumpkinpalooza,”! The high energy family game show where audience members are picked to participate in a series of zany and messy challenges. The winner takes all and the losers have to spin the “Wheel of Misery,” with consequences ranging from a pie in the face, dancing like a chicken, to getting “splurfed” (a slimy substance poured on top of participants’ heads). Also returning this year is Pumpkin Junction, an activity area where guests can dress their own scarecrow, make crafts, and play pumpkin themed festival games.

Of course what Pumpkin Festival would be complete without the opportunity to pick out your very own pumpkin? Guests at Stone Mountain's Pumpkin Festival will have an opportunity to pick out the perfect pumpkin to take home from the park’s Pumpkin Patch. Other festival activities include a traditional pie eating contest and storytelling at Campfire Corner.

As if all that fun wasn't enough, in addition to the Pumpkin Festival activities, tickets include admission to Stone Mountain Park’s most popular attractions such as the new Geyser Towers®, SkyHike®, Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, mini-golf and more. Guests can join Yogi Bear on his never-ending quest to find picnic baskets in Yogi Bear’s 4-D Adventure. On Saturdays, just after sunset, families may complete their outing by watching the famed Lasershow Spectacular™ in Mountainvision.

Ready to jump into the action? The Pumpkin Festival runs Sept. 28 – Oct. 28, Friday & Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m..

There are several savings options available to guests including the Family Value Pass. The FVP saves families 30% and includes four all-attractions Adventure Passes, four meals and four unlimited refillable cups and is sold exclusively online at www.stonemountainpark.com.

Want to win a family 4 pack of tickets to the 2012 Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival? Leave me a comment with your favorite fall tradition. I will pick a winner on 10/11/12!

Congrats Tiffany!

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Listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids Before They Grow Up and cited by the Atlanta Journal- Constitution as one of “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See Before You Die,” Stone Mountain Park is located 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta. To get to the park, take I-285 to Exit 39B, Hwy. 78 East. Stone Mountain Park is Exit No.8 on Hwy 78.

More information regarding Stone Mountain Park attractions and hours of operation is available at 770-498-5690 or by visiting www.stonemountainpark.com.