WILDWOOD, NJ – September 29, 2026 – The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce is bringing the community together for a fun-filled fall weekend with the Wildwoods Fall Festival at Fox Park on Saturday, October 17, 2026, followed by the Wildwoods Scarecrow Contest Community Build on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Both events are designed to bring families, schools, businesses, organizations, and visitors together for a weekend of creativity, competition, entertainment, and community spirit. All events are FREE to enter and participate.
Wildwoods Fall Festival – Saturday, October 17
The Wildwoods Fall Festival will take place at Fox Park on Saturday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The festival will feature something for everyone, including:
- Food Vendors
- Craft Vendors
- Beer Truck
- Kids’ Activities
- Live Bands throughout the day
- The Great American Pumpkin Derby
The highlight of the festival will be the Great American Pumpkin Derby, where creatively decorated pumpkins will race down the track in a one-of-a-kind Derby-style competition.
The Pumpkin Derby is a fun activity for the entire family and a perfect opportunity for students, school groups, clubs, sports teams, businesses, and community organizations to participate. It also provides a unique hands-on activity incorporating art, math, engineering, creativity, and teamwork.
Participants will decorate their pumpkins, strategically position their racing wheels, and then put their pumpkins to the test. Awards and recognition will be given for pumpkins competing in the races, as well as those receiving votes in the decorated pumpkin competition.
Ricciardi Brothers Paint and Hardware Ready to Serve as the Pumpkin Derby Pit Crew
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Ricciardi Brothers as the official Pit Crew for the Great American Pumpkin Derby. The Ricciardi Brothers team will be on hand to help participants secure their racing wheels and get their pumpkins race ready.
Racing wheel sets are available for purchase in advance at the Ricciardi Brothers store in North Wildwood as well as at the event.
Wildwoods Scarecrow Contest – Sunday, October 18
The fall fun continues on Sunday, October 18, with the Wildwoods Scarecrow Contest Community Build.
Participants are invited to come to Fox Park and create their own scarecrow. The Chamber will provide the hay/straw during the Community Build, while participants bring their creativity and materials needed to bring their scarecrow to life.
Schools, businesses, families, organizations, and community groups are encouraged to create one or more scarecrows. Once completed, participants can take their scarecrow back to their school, business, home, or organization to display throughout the fall season.
The Chamber will encourage the community to visit the displays in The Wildwoods and vote for their favorites in a variety of categories.
A Weekend of Community, Creativity and Fun
“The goal of these events is to create new fall traditions that bring our community together,” said Tracey DuFault, President of the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce. “The Pumpkin Derby and Scarecrow Contest give our schools, businesses, families, and organizations an opportunity to get creative, work together, compete, and have some fun while being part of the Wildwoods community.”
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce encourages schools to consider incorporating the Pumpkin Derby into classroom activities, STEM projects, art programs, clubs, sports teams, or other student activities. The Scarecrow Contest also provides an opportunity for students and community groups to work together on a creative project that can be enjoyed by the public throughout the fall.
All events are FREE to enter and participate.
The Wildwoods Fall Festival and Great American Pumpkin Derby are sponsored by the Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA), Ricciardi Brothers, and the City of Wildwood.
For more information about the Fall Festival, Great American Pumpkin Derby, Wildwoods Scarecrow Contest, or how your school, business, organization, or community group can participate, contact the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at 609-729-4000 or [email protected].
Event Information
Wildwoods Fall Festival & Great American Pumpkin Derby
Saturday, October 17, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Fox Park, Wildwood, NJ
Wildwoods Scarecrow Contest Community Build
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Fox Park, Wildwood, NJ
FREE to enter and participate! For more information and all the rules for the contests, visit www.gwcoc.org or call the Chamber at 609-729-4000.
