The Circleville Pumpkin Show starts in two weeks, and Kevin Coleman got a preview of a big change, after Circleville Council Tuesday evening.
Councilman Barry Keller is the "Vice President" of the Show...which means he's in charge of it. He describes how the city has been working on a permanent new feature for the festival.
Where the Mason's Furniture Store on North Court Street was demolished after a devastating fire, the new "Pumpkin Show Park" is being built.
Keller says it won't be completely finished in time, but it will be usable. They are relocating the main stage to there, where all entertainment and contests will happen. They have displaced many vendors because they want it to be an open place for people to gather.
New rides will go where the stage was at the end of West Main, and they will be viewable from US 23.
Keller will have more details in two weeks, when the next council session coincides with "preview night" of the Pumpkin Show. That Tuesday is not widely promoted, but is left as a time when locals can enjoy the festival.
Tuesday evening, Circleville Council heard about a redeveloped landmark being open for tours soon.
The 1916 historic Circleville High School has been turned into senior apartments, and they can be viewed on preview day of the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Councilman Tom Spring describes some of what can be seen 1 to 4pm Tuesday, October 16th.
He said the redevelopers uncovered skylights, reopened coat rooms, created public space in the old auditorium, and made a "Grandchildren's Room" on the stage. Old photos of Circleville hang on the walls.
And Spring is optimistic the city can get a state "Target of Opportunity Grant" to add to funds for reusing the part of the school the city still owns.
He says that could create $900,000 to $1,000,000 funds the city would not have to pay, to allow community-centered functions in the old gym and industrial arts wings.
Hear many more details in the full interview below.
Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils and local culture