CIRCLEVILLE, OH – Marc Rogols, President of the Circleville Pumpkin Show, presented a pioneering economic impact study to the Circleville City Council on Tuesday, shedding light on the festival’s significant contribution to the local, state, and surrounding economies. Joined by executive board members Nanisa Osborn, and Kim Wellman, Rogols marked his second year as president with his first address to the council.
The Impact Study was commissioned in July 2024 and conducted by Ohio University. The year-long study—funded by the Pumpkin Show with support from the P3 Foundation and the Chamber—marks the first time the festival’s economic footprint has been analyzed in this unique way. Rogols, who condensed the detailed report into a PowerPoint presentation, emphasized its transparency, noting that negative data was included to ensure an accurate portrayal. Electronic copies were distributed to council members.
“The Circleville Pumpkin Show, established in 1903 by Mayor George Haswell as a small agricultural exhibit, has grown into the sixth-largest festival in the U.S., attracting over 400,000 visitors annually from all 50 states and countries like Germany, England, Italy, and New Zealand. Held except during World Wars I and II and the recent pandemic, the free-admission event has seen attendance estimates rise from 5,000-10,000 in 1908 to over 400,000 in recent years.Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1946, the Pumpkin Show aims to foster community fellowship, promote agriculture, and benefit Circleville residents,” said Rogols.
The study surveyed 304 patrons (228 usable responses), 175 vendors (148 usable), and 80 businesses (60 usable) over five days, including Preview Night. Patrons, 93% from Ohio ( just over half from Pickaway County), spent $1.2 million locally, with 68% attending specifically for the show. Vendors, 70% of whom rated the event as very important, contributed $123,000, led by food/drink and artisan goods added 60K in value. Businesses, the least responsive group, showed mixed results—56% reported no sales impact, while 17% found it vital.
“It’s hard to make sales if you are a title agency or a car part store during Pumpkin show, Rogols said, “but if you are a drink establishment or a restaurant, you probably do well.”
Key findings include:
- Pickaway County: $1.33 million value added, supporting 4.2 jobs per 10 direct jobs, with a total output of $3.361 million.
- Total Impact: A $4.6 million total impact, including spillover to surrounding counties.
Rogols clarified that this impact benefits gas stations, restaurants, and businesses beyond downtown Circleville, not just Pumpkin Show.
“Patrons traveling in stop in South Bloomfield for gas and restaurants, the Goody Nook coming in from the West,” said Rogols, referring to the people traveling around the state to the show.
The conservative estimate reflects limited business participation.
During the meeting, council members raised questions. Including Income sources for the Pumpkins show that Rogols disclosed include vendor booth fees, sponsorships, and a carnival ride percentage. He remarked that private lot vendors pay nothing—a policy marked by a new “Official Vendor” sign for contributors was aimed at that discrepancy. The Pumpkin Show covers event expenses (law enforcement, trash) but not direct city payments, though it enhances downtown with a privately owned park open to public use.
Council praised the effort, with members thanking Rogols, Osborne, and Wellman for their dedication. “It’s amazing to see this financial impact in numbers,” one noted, as the study promises to inform future community planning.
