FARMINGTON — Historic Front Street’s second annual Pumpkin Festival promises to be more awesome than last year, Tammy Parsons, an organizer, said.

The festival takes place from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, with activities at businesses along Front Street, starting at Parson’s Divine Inspirations and continuing up the street.

“This year’s event is bigger and better,” Parsons said.

After a successful event last year, Front Street businesses, led by John Moore, have added several new events and top the day with fireworks at 6:30 p.m. over Prescott Field, Parsons said.

“This is truly a family festival,” Moore said in a news release. “We have many free or inexpensive activities that will be a lot of fun without breaking the family budget.”

Union Rental is offering a hay maze. Border collies will give 30-minute sheep dog demonstrations at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. in the UMF parking lot next to Prescott Field.

Randy Judkins comedy/variety shows take place at 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. under the entertainment tent.

Youngsters can decorate scarecrows from 2 to 5 p.m. near the Franklin Savings Bank staircase.

Another new event is the Amazing Pumpkin Puzzle, similar to television’s Amazing Race, Parsons said. Participants finish a task and get a piece of a puzzle. Adults and children can participate and prizes will be awarded.

A grilled chicken meal for $6 will be available from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at a new shop at 168 Front St. The shop has not been named yet, but people will smell the chicken, Parsons said.

Horse carriage rides can help people move along the street, she said.

There are pumpkin-chucking and pumpkin-pie-eating contests and an exhibit of decorated pumpkins. People can bring painted gourds or carved jack-o’-lanterns to the information booth for display instructions. The jack-o’-lanterns can be viewed after the fireworks in front of Western Mountain Financial Services.

A haunted walk also takes place after the fireworks.

Most events are free, but there are punch cards available for $5 that offer a “package of goodies,” Moore said.

Punch-card bearers can participate in the Amazing Pumpkin Puzzle hunt, get a free movie at Narrow Gauge Cinemas for either Saturday or Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, get entrance to the Haunted Walk, get a free s’mores packet at the Snack Shack on Prescott Field, get a caricature portrait for $4 and free face painting.

“The passes help with the costs of putting on the festival and paying for the fireworks,” Parsons said.

The Front Street businesses have no other funding, she said.

The passes are available before Saturday at Narrow Gauge Cinema, Divine Inspirations and Kyes Insurance. They can be purchased Saturday at an information desk near the Franklin Savings Bank staircase on Front Street.

Pass buyers also get free tickets for prize drawings. The prizes include a 10-pack movie gift certificate with popcorn and soda at Narrow Gauge Cinema, and several other gift certificates. They include $25 at the Snack Shack, $50 at Divine Inspirations, $50 at Farmer’s Union, $25 at Thai Smile and Sushi Restaurant, $25 in dry cleaning services at Depot Laundry, product gift basket at Hair Designs Unlimited and a $100 acupuncture session at Cristi DeMarco Acupuncture.

More information is available at www.FarmingtonPumpkinFestival.net

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