Pumpkin Mountain will light up again for the 22nd year of PumpkinFest in St. Joseph.

Carlene Makawski with the PumpkinFest said the annual lighting of the hundreds of pumpkins on Pumpkin Mountain will take place at 8 p.m. Friday.

“I can remember back, the first lighting of the mountain, and everybody, when we threw the switch, holding their breath and hoping that it worked. It was just so exciting and, it’s silly to say, but it brought tears to our eyes,” Makawski said. “You know, still, to this day, it’s just kind of an emotional thing when you see all the lights come on.”

The weekend will also include the Children’s Parade beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, the Children’s Tent will be open each day and there will be several musical and entertainment acts throughout the weekend.

There will also be a few new things this year including historical presentations on subjects including Joseph Robidoux, the early days of St. Joseph and 100 years of Cherry Mash.

PumpkinFest takes place Friday through Sunday at Pony Express National Museum and Patee Park at 9th and Penn street in St. Joseph. For more information, go to ponyexpresspumpkinfest.com.