SEATTLE — Pumpkin season is officially here, and one of Capitol Hill’s most popular Halloween traditions is set to return this weekend.
The 22nd annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival will take over the area outside Elysian Capitol Hill Brewery on Saturday night, transforming the neighborhood into what organizers describe as a massive Halloween celebration.
The festival’s roots go back to the early days of Elysian Brewing Company, which opened its first Capitol Hill location 30 years ago.
According to Elysian Brewing Co-Founder and brand ambassador David Buhler, the event was born after the brewery accidentally ended up with more pumpkin beer than expected while preparing a batch for the Great American Beer Festival.
“We didn’t do it right. The recipe was off, so it wasn’t gonna be quite what we wanted. It needed to be exactly what we wanted,” Buhler explained. “So we went and brewed another batch. And brewed another batch. And so my business partner looks at me and goes, ‘What the heck are we gonna do with three pumpkin beers?’ And I said, ‘Well, I think we should invite some other brewers and throw a festival and better yet, let’s put beer in a pumpkin and tap it.’”
Now, as Elysian celebrates its 30th anniversary and as the festival heads into its 22nd year, organizers are preparing for the festival’s biggest attraction: a giant pumpkin.
“The pumpkin is 1,500 pounds,” Buhler said. “We fill it with beer, and there’ll be a thousand people around the pumpkin just chanting.”
Festivalgoers can expect more than just beer. The event will feature DJs, food trucks, a costume contest and a pie-eating contest. Organizers say around 60 different beers will be available, including pumpkin beers and other seasonal offerings.
The event is expected to draw nearly 3,000 people from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
For first-time attendees, Buhler offered a simple description of what to expect.
“If you’ve never been here, I’d say it’s like the biggest Halloween party that you’ve ever been to,” he said.
If you’re hoping to attend, you’ll need to act quickly. Organizers say the festival is already sold out, but about 100 tickets will be available at the door Saturday night. For more information, click here.
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