Grab your pumpkin spice latte because we’re going to the pumpkin capital of the world. I would like to personally thank the people of Morton, Illinois for growing a food that my dog eats for dinner each night. She loves pumpkin puree.
- Cris

Holy Pumpkins!

The Little Pumpkin Town That Could

Drive down I-74 in late September and you’ll see it: a bright orange horizon. Morton, Illinois, didn’t just grow pumpkins—it became pumpkins. Somewhere along the way, this small Midwestern town realized that survival meant embracing the quirky, the seasonal, and the spectacularly orange.

Morton is officially known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World, a title it wears like a well-loved sweater. More than 80% of the world’s canned pumpkin is processed here by Libby’s, meaning that the pumpkin pie on your Thanksgiving table likely started its life in a field just outside this town.

But Morton’s story isn’t just about agriculture. It’s about resilience.

The Turning Point

Like many Midwestern towns, Morton once stood at a crossroads. Manufacturing was changing, younger generations were leaving, and small businesses were struggling. The town could have faded quietly into obscurity. Instead, Morton did something extraordinary: it leaned into its most colorful crop.

In the 1960s, when Libby’s pumpkin processing plant began putting Morton on the map, town leaders and residents decided not to treat pumpkins as a background crop. They made them the main character. And from that decision grew a tradition that would anchor the community for decades: the Morton Pumpkin Festival.

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A Festival That Saved a Town

Every September, Morton’s population of 17,000 swells as more than 70,000 visitors pour in for four days of pumpkin-themed everything. Pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin chili, pumpkin donuts. Pumpkin weigh-offs where gargantuan gourds tip the scales. A parade where local kids ride floats dressed like jack-o-lanterns. And yes, even pumpkin bowling.

The festival isn’t just a kitschy celebration—it’s the town’s economic heartbeat. Hotels book out, restaurants overflow, and families return year after year. For locals, it’s more than tourism dollars. It’s identity. The festival gave Morton a brand, a pride, and a reason to gather in good times and bad.

A Town Built on Orange

Walk down Jefferson Street in Morton during festival season (happening right now) and you’ll see pumpkin signs in shop windows, orange lights strung across porches, and even pumpkin-themed outfits in boutique stores. Local coffee shops compete to invent the next big pumpkin drink (move over, Starbucks PSL). High school bands march with pumpkin decals on their instruments.

It’s whimsical, yes—but it’s also smart. When the town faced challenges—from economic downturns to the uncertainties of farming—its pumpkin identity provided stability. It became Morton’s calling card to the world.

This year, a new attraction - the Pumpkin Glow Foam Party - has been added and it is sure to be a hit. I love the Midwestern diplomatic advice that “goggles and towels aren’t required, but you might want to bring them just in case.” Good point.

More Than Pie Filling

There’s something heartwarming about a place that proudly says, “This is who we are.” Morton didn’t chase trends or try to reinvent itself as something shinier. Instead, it celebrated what grew in its soil.

Farmers here will tell you that pumpkins are a stubborn crop. They need just the right mix of rain and sunshine. They sprawl and take up space. They demand patience. In many ways, they mirror the town that champions them: hardworking, steady, and a little bit quirky.

Morton families often describe the pumpkin season as their favorite time of year—not just for the food and festivities, but for the sense of togetherness it creates. Neighbors volunteer at festival booths, kids grow up riding the pumpkin rides, and visitors leave with the impression that Morton has carved itself into something rare in today’s world: a true community.

Why Morton Matters

The story of Morton isn’t just about pumpkins. It’s about how towns survive when the odds say they shouldn’t. It’s about finding one thing—no matter how humble—and pouring heart, creativity, and tradition into it until it becomes unforgettable.

In Morton, Illinois, that one thing happened to be pumpkins. And by embracing it, the town didn’t just survive. It thrived. (They also love Trolls and have an awesome collection at the Arboretum).

So next time you open a can of pumpkin purée, pause for a moment. That orange gold likely came from Morton—a town that proved you can grow more than crops. You can grow identity, pride, and a reason for people to come together.

A town with both pumpkins and trolls is guaranteed to be a wonderful weekend escape. Please visit Morton and pay your respects to the people who make Pumpkin Spice possible.

See you next Wednesday.

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