CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO — A longtime Circleville Pumpkin Show tradition will carry special meaning in 2026, with a locally designed commemorative pin celebrating both the Pumpkin Show and America’s 250th anniversary.
The official 2026 Circleville Pumpkin Show commemorative pin will go on sale August 25, along with other official Pumpkin Show merchandise, including clothing, at Circleville Apothecary, Ashville Apothecary and the Pickaway County Welcome Center.
This year’s pin was designed by Circleville native Ava Neff, whose artwork was selected through a communitywide design contest. Neff has a lifelong connection to the Pumpkin Show, from attending with her family and helping at her mother’s Rhoads noodle booth to entering her photography in the Pumpkin Show Art Show as a child and teenager. In 2021, she served as Miss Pumpkin Show First Attendant and today continues her involvement through her business, Ava Lauren Photography, photographing Little Miss Pumpkin Show contestants each year.
“Having my design selected for this year’s commemorative Pumpkin Show pin is truly a full-circle moment,” Neff said. “To now have the opportunity to create something that will become part of Pumpkin Show history is an honor I don’t take lightly.”
Neff’s design incorporates the American flag, fireworks and the America 250 logo, bringing together the patriotic celebration with familiar Pumpkin Show tradition. She said she wanted to recognize the once-in-a-generation milestone while keeping the Pumpkin Show at the heart of the design.
“Blending America’s 250th anniversary with the traditions of the Circleville Pumpkin Show felt like a natural fit because both celebrate history, community, and pride,” Neff said. “I wanted the design to honor this once-in-a-generation milestone while still keeping the Pumpkin Show at the heart of it.”
Designing the pin also connects Neff back to one of the Pumpkin Show traditions that first encouraged her creativity. Growing up, she regularly entered her photography in the Pumpkin Show Art Show, an experience that helped grow her passion for photography long before it became her career.
The annual commemorative pin has become a keepsake for Pumpkin Show visitors and collectors, with each year’s design capturing a piece of the Show’s history. Neff hopes the 2026 edition will be especially meaningful as Circleville celebrates its own traditions alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Whether someone is a longtime collector or buying their first commemorative pin, I hope it becomes a keepsake that brings back great Pumpkin Show memories for years to come,” Neff said.
The 2026 commemorative pin and other official Circleville Pumpkin Show merchandise, including clothing, will be available beginning August 25 at Circleville Apothecary, Ashville Apothecary and the Pickaway County Welcome Center.
The 119th Circleville Pumpkin Show will be held October 21–24, 2026, in downtown Circleville, with special America 250 opening activities planned for Tuesday, October 20.
Additional information about the 2026 Circleville Pumpkin Show is available at pumpkinshow.com.
