WASHINGTON:Lots of people tried to tell Brian Anderson what it would be like running the Morton Pumpkin Festival.But until the new executive director of the Morton Chamber of Commerce began dealing with the details, he didn’t realize what was on his plate.Anderson started his new job Jan. 5.
He replaced Jennifer Daly, the chamber’s executive director since 2008, who resigned late last year to become the CEO of the Economic Development Council of Central Illinois.“I was as well prepared as I could be to work on the Pumpkin Festival, but people can only put so much into words,” Anderson said. “Now I know what the festival encompasses and what it means to the community.
It’s amazing that a village the size of Morton can put on an event of this size and scope. The festival is a regional draw.”Anderson said his learning curve has been steep, but the chamber staff and board have been great helps as he’s organized the 49th annual festival that will be held Wednesday through Saturday.
An estimated 75,000 people attend the festival each year on the grounds next to Jefferson Elementary School in downtown Morton and most are quite hungry. Anderson said 10,000 pork chop sandwiches and 70,000 pumpkin donuts have been ordered. Many of the more than 2,000 volunteers will help with food sales
