PumpkinFest: pie eating, pony rides and plenty more

By FRITZ MAYER

BARRYVILLE, NY — When Michael Schroeder launched the first PumpkinFest four years ago, his intention was to bring back some of the hometown spirit he grew up with as a child in Minnesota. It worked. “It’s very homespun,” he said, “there’s nothing slick about it.”

This year, there are a couple of new features. Schroeder is introducing a “cake spin.” Said Schroeder, “You get a number on this big wheel, and if your number comes up, you pick up one of the cakes or other baked goods that have been donated.”

Back by popular demand is the much anticipated bake-off, where baked goods created by full-time and weekend residents are judged by staff members from Gourmet Magazine. The two first place winners will receive $100 prizes.

There will also be a $100 prize for the winner of the pumpkin carving contest, and for the people who have the funniest and the most original costume.

Among the other attractions, the Ricky Z Antique Car Show will be at the site for the entire time; there will be carriage and pony rides; and new for this year, business owners will compete in a three-legged race.

Perhaps the most anticipated event is the pumpkin pie eating competition, where kids and adults gobble down as many slices of pie as possible without using their hands.

New PumpkinFest hosts

Most of the PumpkinFest activities will take place on the grounds of the Spring House, which was recently purchased by Harry and Cathy Datys, who live in Glen Spey. They moved to the area three years ago. Harry commutes every weekday to his investment-banking job on Wall Street.

Datys said he and his wife have been rushing to get the place ready to open in time for the big event. He has traveled to five states to gather furnishings for the shop.

The coffee shop in the building, which used to be called the Red Rooster, will re-open as The Chocolate Mousse, named in honor of a friend who makes an excellent dessert of the same name.

Datys said the shop will feature various kinds of cakes and pies that he will personally bring in from Brooklyn.

Other details, however, remain to be worked out. “I hope people will come to PumpkinFest and tell me what they would like to see,” he said.

The long-term plan for the Spring House includes opening the building as a bed & breakfast, with suites that will include kitchen, living room bathroom and bedroom. He said the B&B part of the operation may be ready to open in about three months.