Photo by Zachary Siebert / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Shaughnessy Crutchfield, 6, gazes in wonder at this year’s edition of Pumpkin Mountain at PumpkinFest in Patee Park Friday night. At 8 p.m., a mountainous arrangement of pumpkins was lit, to the delight of a great crowd.

It felt like New Year’s Eve in St. Joseph on Friday night. Hundreds of people gathered in front of what would be more than 1,000 illuminated pumpkins that comprised Pumpkin Mountain. The onlookers counted down the final seconds until the lights inside the orange jack-o’-lanterns turned on in unison.

Backstage, it was congratulations and handshakes for Rene McCrary, co-chairwoman of Pumpkin Mountain, who, with the help of co-chairwoman Staci Gray, organized everything concerning the pumpkins up until the moment they were lit up.

From getting sponsorships from more than 50 companies to organizing schools to carve the pumpkins and churches to paint them, Ms. McCrary saw her work pay off as people cheered when the lights were turned on.

“It’s a hit,” she cheered as one of her friends passed by.

The rows of pumpkins are more than just decorations to bring people out to PumpkinFest, they help bring in money for the Pony Express National Museum.

Ms. McCrary said companies in the area that donated to the festival had their logos carved into individual pumpkins. Donations from companies ranged from $250 to $10,000, she said.

Cindy Daffron, the museums’ director of development, said without the donations, the museum would have to close.

“Those donations help fund the museum for January, February and March,” she said.

Beyond keeping the museum open, Ms. Daffron said it was all about giving families in the area a good time.

“People have had enough about hearing about politics and the economy. Right now, it’s just time to have fun,” she said.

Dustin and Katherine Knapp, of St. Joseph, said they’ve been coming to the festival every year since their daughter, Heather, was a newborn.

“I like that it’s just a lot of fun for the kids,” Mrs. Knapp said.

Rick and Roxanne Teter said their son was the only reason they came out.

“Our favorite is the lighting of Pumpkin Mountain,” Mr. Teter said, “Well, I guess that’s (my son’s) favorite. Mine is going home.”

PumpkinFest begins again today at 11 a.m. with a costume parade at Ninth and Penn streets. Festivities will last until 8 p.m. across the street from the museum. Festival grounds open again Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For a complete schedule, go to www.stjoenews.net/news/2008/oct/10/pumpkin/.

Andrew Gaug can be reached

at andrewgaug@npgco.com.