A HOT DAY of 95 degrees did not stop the residents of Manteca and nearby from attending the 38th Annual Manteca Pumpkin Fair this past weekend.

Held in the streets of downtown Manteca, the free event welcomed thousands of attendees to celebrate fall with music, pumpkin flavored foods and more. The fair, hosted annually by the Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis Club, took place Saturday and Sunday with live music on the main stage, a car show, pumpkin carving contest, petting zoo and more.

From left, friends Nina Vigil, Maria Vigil and Ashley DeMara drink boba tea as their face makeup drips along with sweat from the heat during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Oct. 7, 2023. The temperature peaked at 95 degrees Saturday afternoon. “We do makeup every year for the event,” DeMara said. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)

Some attendees sported pumpkin-themed accessories and Halloween-themed makeup.

“We do makeup every year for the event. It’s been so hot today it is melting already,” said Ashley DeMara, who attended the fair Saturday with her friends Nina Vigil and Maria Vigil, all of whom wore black and red makeup.

The event had an alley full of food trucks and stalls with barbecues, tacos, fried chicken, aguas frescas and more.

One of the most popular booths on Saturday was that of Raising Cane’s, where people patiently waited in lines for their turn to spin the wheel and win prizes.

Fairgoers line up to spin the wheel for free goodies at the Raising Cane’s booth during the 38th Annual Manteca Pumpkin Fair on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)

Bands such as The Suspension, The Sky Kings and The Rebels performed on the main stage Saturday. A band called The Tater Tots attracted a big crowd at the stage in the kids’ zone.

Network, Bad Neighbors and Aaron Gaydon Band performed on the main stage Sunday.

“We attend the fair every single year with our children,” said Leslie Avila, who brought her two sons Irving and Isaiah. “This is a great event for some good family bonding time.”

  • The Tater Tots band performs during the 38th Annual Manteca Pumpkin Fair on Oct. 7, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Lakshmi Elkins fills up her cup with lemonade during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Saturday. Elkins, whose cat went missing the night before, said she stumbled upon the fair while she was out looking for her cat. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Cash McLeod, 9, carries a big bag of cotton candy on his shoulder during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Oct. 7, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Fairgoers look at bracelets for sale during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Oct. 7, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Beef and Pork skewers sizzle on the grill at the Casa Pinoy booth during the 38th Annual Manteca Pumpkin Fair on Oct. 7, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Trays of fried chicken and garlic fries are illuminated under heat lamps during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Oct. 7, 2023. Outdoor temperatures topped out around 95 degrees. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Disney Princess-inspired hair clips are displayed for sale during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Oct. 7, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Angel Agredano (left), 3, plays with candy corn bowling pins alongside Ezra Sellars, 1, during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
  • Isaiah Avila, 3, attempts to pet ducks with his mother during the 38th Annual Pumpkin Fair in Manteca on Oct. 7, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)

Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.