NEVADA CITY, CA — Halloween spirit is officially back in the air as Nevada City Rotary announces the return of the Pumpkins Palooza Family Celebration. The weeks-long festivities kick off with painted pumpkins on display in local businesses from October 1–14, 2026and a live family celebration, scrumptious raffle drawings, and auctions on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
During the first two weeks of October, residents and visitors are invited to participate in the Pumpkins Palooza Scavenger Hunt. Vibrant, artistically painted pumpkins will be displayed at merchants and businesses in the area. Pumpkins Chair Tom Ryan says, “Local artists are transforming the pumpkins and a few gourds — sourced under the tender care of Nevada City Rotary at BakBraken Acres Farm and from The Haunted Pumpkin Patch — into adoring, unique designs.”
This year’s celebration introduces the Taste of the Town Restaurant Raffle. The Grand Prize is a $1,000 “Taste of the Town” package of ten dining certificates from favorite local restaurants, enough for a whole season of dinners out without ever touching the dishes. Don’t win the grand prize? You still get more chances. We’re holding additional “Bite-Sized” drawings of smaller bundles of restaurant certificates.
Participating restaurants include Lola’s, Cirino’s at Main Street, Sushi in the Raw, Sushi Q, Taste of Thai, Sopa Thai, Three Forks Bakery and Brewing, Toffanelli’s, Golden Gate Saloon, Deer Creek Bar & Grill, Jernigan’s, The River, Friar Tucks, Katmandu Hippie, Port of Subs Catering, Tuscany Gardens, Heartwood, Miner Moe’s Pizza and more to come…
Here’s what makes this raffle worth entering: we’re selling only 100 tickets at $100 each. That puts your odds of winning the Grand Prize at 1 in 100 — far better than most raffles you’ll see this year. And because there are multiple “Bite-Sized” drawings, overall odds are unbeatable for food lovers!
Raffle tickets can be purchased directly from Nevada City Rotarians or at the door of the Palooza event.
“We are super excited about celebrating our second annual Pumpkins Palooza Family Celebration with our community,” said Club President, Andrea Mason. “Proceeds from the event help fund vital youth and community service projects as well as support Rotary’s worldwide effort to end polio, one of the greatest global health challenges.”
Nevada City Rotary hosts a variety of local youth and community service projects. Among them are
- The newly launched Dolly Parton Imagination Library Nevada County, which mails a free book every month to local children from birth through age five, building a love of reading before they ever start school.
- Girls Who Code, A STEM Club at Seven Hills Middle School to introduce young girls to computer science and discover their own aptitude
- Local youth and community service projects that keep Nevada City strong, from scholarships to hands-on volunteer work.
- Rotary’s international mission to end polio, part of a decades-long global effort that has put the world on the edge of eradicating the disease for good.
The entire community is invited to gather for the final Pumpkins Palooza Family Celebration and Auction at 5:30 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Miners Foundry. The evening will feature a family-friendly atmosphere, an auction of the painted pumpkins, raffle drawings, and plenty of Halloween fun.
Event Details:
Leading up to Palooza …Painted Pumpkins Around Town Scavenger Hunt:
October 1–14, 2026 look for unique painted pumpkins at participating local businesses around the area.
Pumpkins Palooza Family Celebration, Taste of the Town Raffle Drawing, & Auctions:
Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:30PM-8:00PM
Location: Miners Foundry and Cultural Center, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA.
Admission: $10 per adult at the door; students and children are free. Includes free grilled hot dogs and treats!
Attire: Costumes are highly encouraged but not required.
Co-sponsored with the City of Nevada City, Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, and Nevada City Public Arts Commission. Last year’s inaugural Pumpkin Scavenger hunt featured prominent local merchants, banks, and credit unions, City Hall, Miners Foundry, and beyond. Organizers anticipate another spectacular turnout as the town comes together to celebrate creativity and community for the Halloween season.
More details at https://nevadacityrotary.org/page/pumpkins-palooza
About Nevada City Rotary
Affiliated with Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Nevada City is a local service organization made up of local business, professional, and civic leaders. Members meet regularly to plan and implement local and international service projects, foster high ethical standards, and build goodwill and peace in our community.