Pony Express Pumpkinfest

The Pony Express Museum is excited to announce the dates for Pumpkinfest 2022! Save the dates of October 7th through the 9th to share family fun at the Museum and Patee Park. Our family-focused festival sponsored by the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, MO starts Friday night at 5 pm. It runs all day Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5 pm.

Children's Costume Parade

The children’s costume parade is Saturday the 9th at 11 am. The costume contest and parade will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022. Please come to the Patee Hall parking lot at 10:00 am to register for the costume contest. The parade begins at 11 am, with a rain time of 3 pm.

We will award prizes after the parade ends at Pumpkin Mountain, typically around 11:45. Many thanks to our parade sponsor, St. Joseph Hy-Vee for once again donating the grand prize and family category prizes. We also send thanks to Midwest Central Outdoor for once again providing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes to each age category: infant to 3 years; 4 to 7 

​Entertainment and More

Check out the entertainment, food trucks, craft vendors, carnival rides, and much, much more!

Don’t miss a crowd favorite – the lighting of Pumpkin Mountain! Watch in amazement as we light over 500 hand-carved pumpkins on the Mountain in front of the Museum at 8 pm on both Friday and Saturday nights!

As always, Saturday and Sunday include special activities at the Children’s Tent. Come see The Pony Express Prospectors demonstrate panning for gold all three days.