When is National Pumpkin Day you ask!? Why it is today, on October 26. That makes today a very special day. Why do pumpkins deserve a holiday in their honor? It’s because pumpkins are such an important part of our lives from early September and all the way to Thanksgiving. We grow them, decorate with them, and carve them. And, we creatively play with them for pumpkin games and in many other ways. Why, some folks make pumpkins into a boat and race them at festivals. Finally, we eat them in countless recipes. It has a great taste and blends well with many other fruits and vegetables. No other fruit or vegetable claims anywhere near the amount of attention we give to these bright orange orbs. Interest in pumpkins begins with the fall harvest in September. It peaks on Halloween. But, their presence continues all the way to the Thanksgiving dessert tray.

There’s no better time to celebrate National Pumpkin Day. This holiday is perfectly placed just before Halloween.  As a result, it is not overshadowed by the Halloween hoopla. Indeed, the beloved and versatile pumpkin gets its day of well-deserved honor, and I might add a generous amount of glory.

Early humans in Central America have cultivated pumpkins dating back to 5,000 – 7,000 B.C. We’ve had a long time to grow our relationship and develop ways to use this fruit. For several thousand years, it was primarily used as a source of food. Then, Man discovered medicinal uses, too. Among the early medicinal applications include treatment for snake bites and as a cure for freckles. In more recent centuries, medical researchers discovered the seeds help fight prostate cancer. It wasn’t until more recent centuries that we began to use pumpkins for decorating, carving, and most recently for play.