SYCAMORE | Sycamore’s 55th annual Pumpkin Fest featured more than 1,000 entries of pumpkins and scarecrows to compete in a pumpkin-decorating contest, including World Series and political pumpkins.

The festival brought together people of all ages for a pumpkin decorating tradition. Children as young as toddlers can partake in pumpkin decorating, teens this year could make scarecrows, and adults had a category to make intricate pumpkin carvings.

Popular themes among participants were the Chicago Cubs, the “Minions” movie, Pokemon, the cast of “Star Wars” and even political parodies of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

One display featured was Tina’s Tot Spot, a Sycamore home day care. Kids from the day care submitted colorful pumpkins for the display. Karen Waxman, of Sycamore, attended with her daughter, Cayden, to view the pumpkins that she created at Tina’s.

“It’s pretty cool,” Waxman said. “It’s a pretty good turn out every year; It’s kind of small compared to other years, but it’s a great turnout. We had fun.”

Karen has brought Cayden to the event before and spoke highly of its entertainment. Cayden made a pumpkin that was a lion to submit in the five years old and under category. Cayden said her pumpkin’s decoration was made out of all candy corn.

The display, held on the front lawn of the Sycamore courthouse, 133 W. State St., was a great way to enjoy the chilly weather with a hot chocolate in hand. Many people brought their dogs and strolled through the assortment of displays happily. Food and snacks were also available for purchase in and around the courtyard.

Many festival-goers present at the display knew friends who created pumpkin entries. Steve and Sue Klopfenstein, of Shabbona, came to see both of their grandaughters’ pumpkins from the Montessori Children’s House of Sycamore and Dekalb, 26555 Brickville Road.

“We come every year,” Klopfenstein said. “I think it’s just a fun hometown event; I’ve been coming to it for my whole life. We come to the parade every year in the rain or shine, cold or freezing, sick or healthy.”

The pumpkin collection was shown throughout the weekend. Sycamore’s annual festival weekend also featured a parade and a firework display.