If you like corn on the cob, pork barbecue, cider and pumpkin rolls, the Versailles Lions Club stand is the place to be at this year’s Versailles Pumpkin Show on the square.

Each year after the last ride is torn down and the last trash picked up from the streets, members of the Versailles Lions Club, sponsors of the event, begin making plans for the following year. Plans for this year include a new food stand that promises to serve something different - roasted corn on the cob.

The 104th Versailles Pumpkin Show will get underway Wednesday, September 27 with a discount ride night. The rides will open at 5:00 p.m. and will only take one ticket per ride. Reduced ride tickets are on sale right now - $12.00 for 16 tickets. That means on Wednesday night you can enjoy 16 rides for only $12.00! Those tickets can be purchased at area schools, the Spencer-Tyson Pharmacy, Versailles Super Valu, Friendship State Bank, Versailles; Versailles Shell Bake Mart, and MainSource Bank, Whitewater Motors in Milan and Matt & Larry’s Small Engine Repair in Osgood. No advance tickets will be sold after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28.

The Queen and King contest will be held on opening night with the following candidates vying for this year’s title: Erica Pollard, daughter of Rick and Vicky Pollard, and Cory Yeomans, son of Danita Yeomans, South Ripley; Talena Huff, daughter of Tom and Trina Huff, and Zachary Teichman, son of Robert and Kelly Garcia and John and Laurie Teichman, Southeastern Career Center; Ashley Bright, daughter of Georgeanna Chambers and Jordan Pavy, son of Janna Sweeney and Tracy Hinman, Switzerland County High School; Amy Marie Lutz, daughter of Mike and Peggy Lutz, and Justin Pettit, son of Sherry and Jeff Roland and Ervin and Linda Pettit, South Dearborn; Kara Riker, daughter of Joy and Michael Cirillo, and Joel Jones, son of Cheri Jones and Darrell Jones, Milan; Kaitlin Hughes, daughter of Tom and Donna Hughes, and Tucker Brown, son of Warren and Tena Brown, Jac-Cen-Del; Nikki DiBease, daughter of Mike and Sue DiBease, and Marc Bergman, son of Dennis and Carol Bergman, Batesville High School; Dana Howe, daughter of Darryl and Ashley Howe, and Mark Werner, son of Dwight and Sherry Werner, East Central High School.

Thursday night more royalty will be crowned when first graders from eight area schools will take the stage to see who will be the 2006 Prince and Princess. Those candidates include:
• Milan Elementary: Amanda Garner, daughter of John and Sherry Garner; and Steven Gutzwiller, son of Paula and Eric Karsteter and Steven Gutzwiller.
• Jac-Cen-Del Elementary: Allison Borgman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Borgman; and Brantley Springmeyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Springmeyer.
• South Ripley Elementary: Tabitha McClain, William Patrick, guardian; and Ethan Morris, son of Michael and Melissa Morris.
• St. Nicholas Catholic School: Nicolette Eckstein, daughter of C.C. and Jodi Eckstein; and Chris Kraus, son of Chris and Laura Kraus.
• St. Louis: Annalynne Doll, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Doll; and William Harmeyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Harmeyer.
• Sunman Elementary: Morgan Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Jennifer Williams; and Cole Russell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dusty and Jennifer Russell.
• Cavehill Christian Academy: Cameron May, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lesley May; and Evgeny Robers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Robers.
• Batesville Primary: Sammy Jo Mathews, daughter of Kyle and Shelly Mathews; and Sam Wade, son of David and Andrea Wade.

Thursday nights’ stage events will continue with sponsors Ripley Publishing Company naming the winners of the 18th Annual Pumpkin Show Baking Contest results.

The baking contest will be held Thursday morning at the newspaper office at 115 S. Washington Street. Entries can be brought in between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and must contain pumpkin. There are four categories: Pumpkin pies, cakes, pumpkin rolls, and miscellaneous pumpkin goodies. There is a separate contest for kids under 18-years-old to enter. The Best of Show will receive $200 along with a plaque. Also $25.00 will be awarded to the best-decorated entry. (See contest rules inside today’s special insert).

Then high school students gather’ round the stage to cheer on their representative to see who can eat the most pumpkin pie in one minute. Those taking the challenge this year include: Amanda Hatton and Brad Demaree, South Ripley; Justin Steuer and Natasha Haugh, Milan; Jacob Bonnlander and Rae Jean Sebree, Southeastern Career Center; and Justin Eaton and Alisha Richardson, Jac-Cen-Del. The event, sponsored by Ripley Publishing Company, will be emceed by South Ripley High School Principal Bill Snyder. The Centerline Band will round out the evening on the stage.

Friday night will be a night of live music on stage with Hoosier Hills Bluegrass, Mike Owens, and Rick K. and the Allnighters taking the stage.

Rides will open on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. and continue until time for the parade, which will kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Tyson Street near the old Tyson School building. There is no pre-registration.
The giant pumpkins will be weighed at 1:00 p.m. This is a highlight of the event with large crowds gathering at the stage area to watch the massive pumpkins being hoisted to the scale to see who will take top honors this year.

Saturday is a full day with a Pedal Tractor Pull and Race for both adults and children, live music, and a cheerleading contest, along with all the rides and booths open.

Sponsors for this year’s event include:
• Platinum $1000 sponsors are Versailles Tyson Fund, MainSource Bank & Insurance, Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Ripley Publishing Company, Town of Versailles, Friendship State Bank, Stutler’s Service, Spencer-Tyson Pharmacy.

• Gold $500 sponsors are King’s Daughters’ Hospital & Health Services, A Touch of Country, Tom Tepe Autocenter, American Legion Post 173, Holman Septic Tank Sales & Redy Mix, Ripley County Farm Bureau Insurance, Gilpin Monuments & Signs, Halcomb Home Center, Mike Holman Excavating, and Southeastern Indiana REMC.