Three Years Running, and It Never Gets Old

Hey friends! Stacie here. You know how some people have “their” coffee shop? The place that just feels like home, where they know your order and you know the staff?

For Momma Bears Creations, that place is East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest.

Every fall, when the leaves start turning and there’s that perfect crisp feeling in the Pennsylvania air, we start planning. Not just our booth setup or inventory - but the feeling of going back to Pumpkinfest.

Because this isn’t just another craft show on our calendar. This is OUR event. Our community. Our home base.

Let me tell you why.

The First Time We Applied (Not Knowing It Would Change Everything)

I’ll be honest - when we first applied to be vendors at East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest, I had no idea it would become what it is to us now.

We’d been doing smaller craft shows around Central PA - church bazaars, school fundraisers, the occasional community event. Those were great for learning and building confidence. But someone at one of those smaller shows mentioned Pumpkinfest and said, “You should really apply. It’s a big one.”

Big was an understatement.

East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest isn’t just a craft show. It’s a full-blown community celebration:

Live music all day
Food vendors (the smells alone are worth the visit!)
Kids’ activities - face painting, games, bounce houses
Hundreds of craft vendors featuring handmade goods from all over Central PA
Thousands of attendees from the whole Harrisburg area

When we got the acceptance email, Maddi and I both freaked out a little. This was the big leagues. This was where serious artisans showed their work. What if we weren’t ready? What if nobody cared about soap from Enola when there were dozens of other vendors?

Scott, as always, was our voice of reason: “You make great products. People will love them. Let’s do this.”

So we did.

That First Pumpkinfest (September 2022)

I remember pulling up to set up our booth that first year. The event is held at the East Pennsboro Community Center grounds, and seeing the scale of it - row after row of vendor tents, stages being set up for live bands, food trucks lining up - was both thrilling and terrifying.

Maddi helped me set up our display. We’d upgraded from our folding table to a nicer setup with levels and better signage. We’d brought our full range of soaps, some body butters, lip balms, and we’d even added Vapor Bear Balm recently (which, spoiler: became a huge seller!).

Scott handled the heavy lifting and logistics, as always. Getting all our inventory, display materials, and supplies set up efficiently. He’s the master of “we need this to work smoothly” problem-solving.

And then the gates opened.

The Crowds, The Connections, The Community

The first thing that struck me: the PEOPLE.

Pumpkinfest draws such a diverse, wonderful crowd. Young families with kids in strollers. Couples on date-day outings. Older folks who’ve been coming to this event for years. Teenagers hanging out with friends.

And they weren’t just window shopping - they were genuinely interested.

People would stop at our booth, pick up bars of soap, smell them, read the ingredient lists, and ask real questions:

“Is this really all natural?”
“What makes cold process different from store-bought?”
“My daughter has eczema - what would you recommend?”
“Can I use this on my face?”

These weren’t quick transactions. These were CONVERSATIONS. Real connections with our Central PA neighbors about their skincare needs, their sensitivities, their families.

Maddi absolutely thrived. Watching her talk to customers, share our story, explain the difference between our Lavender and our Honey Donkey - I was so proud. She wasn’t just selling soap; she was sharing something we created together.

By midday, we’d sold more inventory than we’d sold at any three smaller shows combined.

But the sales weren’t even the best part of that day.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Around 2pm, during a brief lull in foot traffic, something magical happened.

Our grandson - who’d been hanging out at the booth with us all day, toddling around, charming customers - pulled himself up using our display table.

He looked at Maddi. Then at me. Then at Scott.

And he took three wobbly steps.

His FIRST STEPS. Ever.

Right there. At our booth. Surrounded by handmade soap, live music playing in the background, the smell of funnel cakes drifting over from the food vendors.

Maddi burst into tears. Happy tears, obviously, but full-on crying.

I started crying too.

Scott tried to pretend he wasn’t crying, but his eyes were definitely suspiciously wet.

A few customers nearby realized what had just happened and started clapping and cheering. Strangers celebrating this huge milestone with our family.

In that moment, Pumpkinfest stopped being just another craft show.

It became the place where our grandson took his first steps. The place where our family business felt like a family business - not a commercial transaction, but something meaningful we were building together.

Why We Keep Coming Back (Year After Year)

After that first magical Pumpkinfest, there was never any question: We would be back. Every year. No matter what.

This is our third year as Pumpkinfest vendors now, and every year it feels like coming home.

Here’s what keeps us coming back:

1. The Community Feels Like Family

East Pennsboro is right in our backyard - we’re from Enola, just down the road. These are our neighbors. Our friends. People we see at the grocery store and the library.

When customers stop by our booth, they’re not just buying soap from some faceless brand. They’re supporting Stacie and Maddi and Scott - real people from their community who make products by hand in our home.

We’ve had customers come back year after year. People who bought our Honey Donkey soap at the first Pumpkinfest, came back the next year to tell us how much it helped their dry skin, and now they’re regulars.

That kind of relationship doesn’t happen at big box stores.

2. It’s the Perfect Showcase for Everything We Make

Smaller craft shows are great, but they’re often limited in space and time. Pumpkinfest gives us room to really display our FULL product line:

All our cold process soaps (we bring 10-12 varieties!)
Whipped body butters
Lotion bars
Lip balms and scrubs
Sugar scrubs
Vapor Bear Balm (huge seller during fall cold season!)
Spicy Icy Balm (for sore muscles)
And if we have new experimental products, Pumpkinfest is where we test them!

People love seeing the variety. They’ll come to our booth for soap and leave with a body butter, lip balm, and vapor balm too. It’s a chance to really show the breadth of what we create.

3. The Energy Is Unmatched

There’s something special about Pumpkinfest’s atmosphere. The live music creates this festive, upbeat vibe. Families are in a good mood - it’s fall, the weather’s beautiful, kids are having fun.

People WANT to support local artisans at Pumpkinfest. That’s why they come. They’re not just shopping; they’re celebrating handmade, supporting small businesses, connecting with their community.

That energy is contagious. By the end of the day, even though we’re exhausted, we’re also energized. Reminded why we do this. Grateful for the connections we’ve made.

4. Our Grandson Is Growing Up Here

That little guy who took his first steps at our booth three years ago? He’s not so little anymore.

Now he runs around the booth (carefully!), helps us arrange products (kind of!), and charms customers with his big smile.

Watching him grow up at Pumpkinfest - seeing him return to the place where he took those first wobbly steps - feels full-circle emotional every single year.

Someday, when he’s older, we’ll show him photos and say, “This is where you took your first steps. Right here, at our booth, surrounded by family and soap and community.”

How many businesses get to say that?

What Makes Pumpkinfest Different from Other Craft Shows?

We’ve done a lot of craft shows over the years - Williams Grove Flea Market (where we started!), church bazaars, school fundraisers, vendor events at breweries and wineries.

They’re all great in their own ways. But Pumpkinfest is different. Here’s how:

It’s Community-Centered, Not Commerce-Centered

Some craft shows feel transactional. Set up booth → sell stuff → pack up → leave.

Pumpkinfest feels like a gathering. The whole East Pennsboro community comes together to celebrate local makers, local food, local music. We’re not just vendors; we’re participants in a community tradition.

It’s Multi-Generational

We see grandparents bringing their grandkids. Parents bringing teenagers. Young couples on dates. Families with babies in carriers.

Everyone finds something to enjoy - whether it’s browsing handmade crafts, eating amazing food, listening to live bands, or letting the kids run around the activities area.

That multi-generational appeal means we connect with customers of ALL ages. We’ve sold Vapor Bear Balm to young moms with congested toddlers AND to grandmothers buying it for their grown kids’ families.

It’s Consistent and Well-Organized

Some craft shows are chaotic. Vendors crammed together, unclear rules, disorganized setup.

East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest is run BEAUTIFULLY. The organizers communicate clearly, the layout is logical, vendor support is excellent. We know what to expect, which makes planning and prep so much easier.

The Customers WANT to Be There

This isn’t people wandering through a farmer’s market on their way to something else. Pumpkinfest attendees CHOOSE to come, often traveling from all over the Harrisburg area specifically for this event.

They’re in the mindset to discover new makers, support local businesses, and actually BUY - not just browse.

That makes our conversations more meaningful and our sales more consistent.

Preparing for Pumpkinfest (It’s a Family Effort)

In the weeks leading up to Pumpkinfest, our house goes into full production mode.

Maddi and I start making extra batches of our best-sellers:

Lavender (always a hit!)
Honey Donkey (sensitive skin favorite)
honeysuckle (gentle and refreshing)
Cowboy (popular with the guys!)
Any seasonal scents we’re featuring

Remember: cold process soap requires 4-6 weeks to cure. So if Pumpkinfest is in late September, we need to start making soap in August. Planning ahead is crucial.

Scott builds or repairs anything we need:

Display racks get a once-over
Signage gets updated
He makes sure our tent and setup materials are ready
And he preps the car/truck for hauling everything!

We also stock up on:

Whipped body butters (we make these fresh closer to the event)
Vapor Bear Balm (huge seller in fall!)
Lip balms and lip scrubs
Spicy Icy Balm
Lotion bars

It’s a LOT of work. But it’s also fun work. We’re working toward something we love. Together.

The Night Before (The Calm Before the Awesome)

The night before Pumpkinfest, after everything is packed and ready, there’s this quiet moment.

We’re exhausted from prep. But also excited. A little nervous (even after three years!). Grateful.

Maddi and I usually sit down with tea or coffee and go through our checklist one more time:

✅ Inventory packed
✅ Display materials ready
✅ Cash box and card reader charged
✅ Signage and business cards packed
✅ Snacks and water for us (important!)

Scott makes sure the vehicle is loaded efficiently - he’s a master at Tetris-level packing.

And then we try to get some sleep, knowing that tomorrow will be a long, wonderful, exhausting day.

The Day Of (Organized Chaos and Pure Joy)

Pumpkinfest day starts EARLY. We’re usually on-site by 7am to set up before the gates open at 9am (or whenever the official start time is - it varies year to year).

Setup is a well-oiled machine now:

Scott gets the tent and tables positioned
Maddi and I unload inventory and display materials
Scott sets up the racks and structural elements
Maddi and I arrange products, making everything look beautiful and inviting
Final touches: signage, business cards, making sure everything is accessible

By the time gates open, we’re ready. Nervous excitement humming.

And then the day FLIES by.

Talking to customers about their skincare needs
Sharing our family story
Explaining the difference between cold process and commercial soap
Recommending products for sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin
Watching people’s faces light up when they smell our Lavender or Rosemary Mint Shampoo bar
Selling Vapor Bear Balm to parents with congested kids
Seeing return customers who tell us they’ve been using our soap all year
Sneaking bites of food from nearby vendors when there’s a lull (those food trucks are DANGEROUS!)
Our grandson running around, bringing us joy and chaos in equal measure

By the end of the day, we’re wiped out. Feet hurt. Voices hoarse from talking all day. Inventory significantly depleted.

But we’re also HAPPY. The good kind of tired. The kind that comes from doing meaningful work and connecting with your community.

The Ride Home (Reflecting on the Day)

The ride home after Pumpkinfest is always quiet at first. We’re too tired to talk much.

But then someone - usually Maddi - will say something like, “Did you hear that woman say our Honey Donkey soap cleared up her eczema?”

And we start replaying the highlights:

The customer who bought six bars because she’s giving them as Christmas gifts
The teenager who’d never used handmade soap before and was blown away by how soft it made his skin
The older gentleman who bought Vapor Bear Balm for his grandkids
The return customer who’s been coming to our booth every year since our first Pumpkinfest

Those stories matter more than the sales numbers. (Though the sales numbers are pretty great too, not gonna lie!)

We’re reminded, every year, why we do this:

Not to build some giant corporation. Not to get rich. Not to scale up and mass-produce.

But to create something meaningful with our hands, together as a family, and share it with our community.

Why Pumpkinfest Will Always Be Special

I know I’ve said this already, but it’s worth repeating:

East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest isn’t just another event on our calendar. It’s our HOME.

It’s where our grandson took his first steps.

It’s where we connected with our community in a way we never had before.

It’s where we proved to ourselves (and maybe to a few doubters) that this family business could be something real and lasting.

Every year, when we pack up at the end of Pumpkinfest, we’re already looking forward to next year.

Already thinking about new products to bring. New scents to experiment with. New ways to make our booth even better.

Because Pumpkinfest is more than a craft show. It’s a tradition. A family milestone. A celebration.

And we’re so grateful to be part of it.

If You’ve Never Been to Pumpkinfest (You Should Go!)

If you’re in Central PA and you’ve never been to East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest, put it on your fall calendar.

Seriously. It’s worth it.

You’ll find:

Dozens of talented local artisans and makers (including us!)
Amazing food from local vendors
Live music throughout the day
Activities for kids
A genuine community celebration that feels authentic, not commercialized

And if you stop by the Momma Bears Creations booth, say hi! We’d love to meet you, let you smell our soaps, talk about your skincare needs, and share our story.

Maybe you’ll become one of our return customers - the ones who stop by every year, tell us how our products are working for you, and become part of our Pumpkinfest family.

This Year’s Pumpkinfest (We’ll Be There!)

We’re already planning for this year’s East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest.

Making extra batches of our best-sellers. Experimenting with a few new scents (maybe a fall-themed limited edition?). Upgrading our display just a little bit more.

Our grandson is SO excited. He’s old enough now to really understand that this is OUR event. That this is where his family shows up every fall to share what we make.

Follow us on Facebook (@mommabearsus) for updates on this year’s Pumpkinfest date and what we’ll be bringing!

And if you can’t make it to Pumpkinfest, you can always visit us at our permanent retail spot at Carlisle Creative Vibes (152 N Hanover St, Carlisle, PA 17013) or shop online through their website.

But honestly? Pumpkinfest is the experience. It’s where you meet us face-to-face, smell the soaps, hear our story directly, and become part of our community.

We hope to see you there.

— Stacie, Maddi & Scott (Momma Bears Creations, Enola, PA)

P.S. - If you come to Pumpkinfest and you have little ones, ask us to show you where our grandson took his first steps. We still get emotional about it every single year. And we love sharing that moment with our Pumpkinfest family.

Pumpkinfest craft shows Enola PA family business community East Pennsboro local events

Why East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest Will Always Be Our Home