Giant pumpkins, carnival rides and a massive parade are the highlights of the 51st Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, which begins today.

Visitors to downtown Sycamore this weekend will have the opportunity to see more than 1,000 uniquely decorated pumpkins, a special show by Chicago’s Radio Disney and other events. The concluding Pumpkin Festival Parade on Sunday is expected to have 50,000 people in attendance according to Jerome Perez, Pumpkin Fest Committee (PFC) corresponding secretary.

“Food, activities, carnival rides and craft shows bring in the community,” Perez said. “All the money generated during the festival goes back to the nonprofit groups in DeKalb County to support their work in the area.”

More than 20 DeKalb County nonprofit groups will be participating in this year’s festival.

The celebration starts with the giant cake cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. today in the front lawn of the Sycamore Courthouse, 133 W. State St.. The cake was donated by Brown’s County Market, 403 E. State St. in Sycamore.

“The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival was developed to give the children of the DeKalb and Sycamore area something fun to do on Halloween and as a fundraiser for DeKalb County non-profit groups,” Perez said. “Attendance during a typical festival will top 100,000 people, 50,000 of which will come on a parade day with good weather.”

PFC Treasurer Gary Crain said the event is a big help to the local organizations.

“Pumpkin Fest brings in well over $100,000 each year for all the non-profits involved,” Crain said.

Sycamore Police Sgt. Michael Anderson said support from various police agencies helps make the festival possible. Anderson is also the police adviser for the PFC.

“The events on Sunday, including the 10K race and parade, would not be possible without assistance from other police agencies, including the NIU Department of Public Safety,” Anderson said. “The City of DeKalb, City of Genoa, Town of Cortland, Illinois State Police and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office also provide numerous staff to facilitate such a large scale day.”

The Teen Carnival runs from Thursday to Sunday, and will offer a $20 unlimited ride specials throughout the weekend. The carnival and Lions Club pumpkin display will be open through Sunday. The pumpkin display is located in the front lawn of the Sycamore courthouse. “My favorite part of the event is seeing the community come together, as well as the children enjoying themselves at the pumpkin display,” said PFC President Jerry Malmassari.

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy said the children should always come first for these events.

“The main focus of the Pumpkin Festival has always been the children,” Mundy said. “The potential dangers … to that focus [are] commercialization and politics, like this election year. The PFC makes sure the festival is geared toward youth and family.”

Visiters will be able to participate in the Kiwanis Club Pie Eating Contest at 4 p.m. Friday and hear ghost stories told by the Sycamore library staff at 6 p.m. at the Elmwood Cemetery. The cemetery event is free, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and flashlights.

The Pumpkin Festival Parade begins at 1 p.m. Sunday. Participants will travel down Somonauk, Elm, California, State and Main streets in Sycamore.

The parade will be followed by a concluding Halloween costume contest, along with other entertainment, at Sycamore Middle School, 150 Maplewood Drive.

The 34th Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Run 10K will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Early registration ends just before midnight today online at www.sycamorepumpkinrun.com and it costs $25 to register. It will cost $30 to register the morning of the race. Over 1,800 runners participated in last year’s event, and the first 1,800 who register this year will receive a free long-sleeved race shirt.