Get ready to don your favorite costume (get your dogs dressed up too), practice your polka moves and exercise your stein-holding arm, and brush up on picking the perfect pumpkin—South Euclid's October Feast is back this Saturday, Oct. 25, with an afternoon of autumn festivities for every age and interest to come together and thrive.

The South Euclid Giant Eagle and the Mayfield and Green Marc's will give out free pumpkins.The autumn celebration returns to South Euclid’s Bexley Park from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, bringing together everything that makes fall fantastic: free pumpkins, live music, costume contests, and plenty of delicious regional eats.

"It's one of our favorite events," says Daniel Subwick, South Euclid parks and recreation director. "There's just something about the fall weather, getting together before winter gets here, and enjoying some live music and some great food."

The event merged from two separate celebrations into one annual autumn extravaganza. "It used to be Harvest Fest right back in the day,[around 2011]” says Subwick. “And then it evolved into Pumpkins in the Park [in 2016]. Then we combined those two events into October Feast [in 2021]. We’re excited to have October Feast back—it’s one of our favorite events.”

The great pumpkin giveaway
One of the biggest draws remains the free pumpkin distribution, made possible through local partnerships. South Euclid planning and development director Michael Love credits the community spirit behind this popular feature.

"South Euclid Giant Eagle and Marc’s [Mayfield and Green] for the past few years each have given us two bins of pumpkins, no cost, as a donation to give out to the citizens at the event," Love says. "So we very much appreciate that, and I know our residents appreciate that. They are great community partners, making the free pumpkins possible."

The pumpkins come in various sizes, Subwick says, promising even staffers will help everyone find their perfect gourd.

The Polka Pirates."If you want a smaller one, you can usually find it,” he says. “We help people find the right pumpkin—a great pumpkin, Charlie Brown. It just shows the close knit business community that we have here in the city. "

Crooner and Music that hits all the right notes
Subwick says this year’s musical lineup showcases both beloved returning acts and exciting new talent. The Polka Pirates will kick October Feast off from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., bringing their signature energy that earned them the title, “Cleveland’s Original Polka Happy Hour,” as they became event regulars. "We always have the Polka pirates,” says Subwick. “We love having them, They bring great energy to the event.”

The community buzz surrounds newcomer Hayden Grove, who'll perform from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This isn't just any local singer, Subwick gushes, noting Grove’s credentials. "He is a fantastic singer— if you look at his profile, it says he’s Cleveland's Best Crooner in Cleveland Magazine. And he was on The Voice, season 27.”

But television stardom is not what makes Subwick a Grove fan. "I actually saw him performing downtown,” he says. “I grabbed his information, and I was able to secure him for [October Feast] and for our lighting ceremony at the end of November. He's just an incredibly talented singer and performer."

Competing for cash prizes
In between the musical acts, the event will heat things up with three contests, each involving a $250 cash prize.

Subwick says the pet costume contest, always a favorite, will be "just so adorable to see these pets all dressed up with their owners.”

The human costume contest follows in multiple rounds. "We start off with kids,” he explains. “Anybody under age of 18 [can compete], and we name a temporary winner. Then we have the [under 18 winner] compete with the adults and families.

“Somebody did a Little Shop of Horrors one year,” Subwick recalls. “So that's a great example of a family getting together to win this contest. They all come together and whoever is the winner of that group goes home with $250.

Contestants will test their strength and endurance while competing for $250 in the Stein Holding CompetitionThe final contest is the ultimate test of endurance—the stein-holding contest. “The basic premise is to hold a liter of beer, but we fill ours up with water,” Subwick admits. “We fill it up with some water, and you hold it in front of you for as long as you can. And last person holding their stein wins $250.”

Don't underestimate this challenge, he warns. "It is not easy—I've been surprised with some of the winners, or at least some of the finalists,” Subwick says. “You really can’t guess [the winner]. It becomes, I think, maybe mind over matter."

Food, fall shopping, and festival fun
The Pierogi Lady returns as a food vendor favorite, offering options for everyone, Subwick says, “including vegan perogies for individuals like me who can't digest dairy.” Bexley Park concession stand manager and Food with Purpose owner Chef Tynisa C. will also have the concession stand open.

Rainbow Salad made by Chef Tyisha, founder of Food with Purpose.For those looking to get a head start on holiday shopping, about a dozen local artisans and vendors will be selling their goods and creations through a partnership with Indie Green Market. "Great for people to do some fall shopping," Subwick says. "Definitely great, if you’re getting ready for the holidays."

Kids won't be forgotten, with massive inflatables—including an obstacle course, a bounce house, and giant slide—as well as entertainment from a bubble performer, a face painter, and a balloon artist. "Those lines never go down,” Subwick observes. “The lines are long throughout the entire event."

For the gamers, Let’s Play Mobile Gaming truck, operated by South Euclid resident Devaughn Jones, will be on-site.

"He has this really state-of-the-art trailer that he pulls in,” Subwick says. “He has all the systems you can imagine. And kids love it—they spend hours there. And the adults love it too.”

Weather-ready and picture perfect
Acknowledging Cleveland's unpredictable weather, Subwick says the organizers don’t take anything for granted. “Knowing the weather, we're always prepared,” he says. “We have a bunch of tents with plenty of seating, and we set up some heaters inside to stay warm if it's cool.

It's all fun and games at South Euclid's October Feast!“And we also have a cute little fall photo display for anybody who wants to take a photo with their family and friends,” adds Subwick of the selfie station.

There will be adult beverages available, Subwick promises. " We're just going to do the Great Lakes Brewing Company Oktoberfest," Subwick confirms.

Subwick encourages everyone to come out to October Feast and get together for South Euclid’s free event full of fun, games, food, and company one last time before winter starts to creep into Northeast Ohio.

South Euclid’s October Feast is free and open to the public and runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Bexley Park, 1630 Wrenford Road, South Euclid. In addition to the events held during October Feast, the park features picnic tables, a baseball field, a skate park, a BMX pump track, a swimming pool and concession stand (in the summer months).