By Holly Martin
Start your engines, South Jersey! One of the region’s most beloved fall traditions is gearing up for another unforgettable year. The 29th Annual Fleming’s Pumpkin Run is returning to Fleming’s Auto Parts in Egg Harbor Township on Nov. 7, bringing together car enthusiasts, collectors, families and festival-goers for a full day of automotive history and good old-fashioned fun.
This year’s event promises plenty to explore, including acres of classic and unusual vehicles, live music, WOND Radio broadcasts, food trucks, a flea market, on-site museums, and a Toys for Tots collection. Whether you’re a lifelong gearhead, a fan of vintage Americana, or simply looking for a unique way to spend a fall day, the Pumpkin Run has something for everyone.
And if you’ve never experienced it for yourself, buckle up. This isn’t your average car show!
Growing up in the area, the Pumpkin Run was an annual tradition. Families would set up lawn chairs at the end of their streets, waiting for the parade of hot rods, muscle cars, and classic automobiles to rumble down Zion Road on their way to the show.
Despite its name, there’s no actual running involved. Instead, visitors are treated to miles and miles of vehicles, from beautifully restored classics and vintage trucks to race cars, antique tractors, steam engines, and hit-and-miss engines. There’s even a car “graveyard” filled with vehicles that have seen better days but still have plenty of character.
Billed as one of the biggest car shows on the East Coast, the Pumpkin Run has come a long way since its humble beginnings.
“I think the first car show had maybe 25 cars,” said Public Relations Director Rick Broschard. “It was just a ring of cars, and every year it grew a little more.”
Today, the event attracts vehicles from across the country, transforming the sprawling property into a gathering place for automotive enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
Of course, the cars are only part of the fun. One of the things that makes the Pumpkin Run so special is the setting itself.
For one day each year, Fleming’s Auto Parts transforms into a living showcase of vintage Americana. Dedicated volunteers spend days preparing the grounds, raking leaves, cleaning up the property, and organizing the countless collectibles that make this event so distinctive.
As you wander through the grounds, you’ll discover a restored old-fashioned diner complete with gleaming chrome, vintage gas station displays, and antique signs that look like they belong on a movie set. Keep your eyes open for the massive James Salt Water Taffy barrel and the iconic “Zaberville” sign, two historical, memorable sights among the property’s many treasures.
Every corner offers something new to discover, and you never quite know what you’ll stumble across next.
The flea market is another must-visit stop, with vendors offering everything from rare automotive parts to quirky collectibles and unexpected finds. Whether you’re hunting for a specific piece for your garage or just enjoy browsing for hidden gems, it’s worth taking your time.
Visitors can also explore Fleming’s on-site museums, which feature vintage memorabilia, photographs and artifacts, including pieces from the historic Atlantic City Speedway. It’s a chance to step back in time and appreciate the machinery, stories, and local history that helped shape the region.
Among all the incredible sights, one attraction deserves a special mention: the pumpkin chunkin’.
It’s a personal favorite and exactly the kind of wonderfully unusual spectacle that makes the Pumpkin Run so memorable. Using a high-powered air compressor, organizers launch pumpkins at impressive speeds toward a double-decker bus.
Yes, you read that correctly. Pumpkins. Air compressors. A double-decker bus.
It’s the kind of attraction that makes you stop, watch and immediately tell someone else they need to come see it, too.
Between the engines, vintage vehicles, museums, flea market and pumpkin launches, there’s more than enough to keep visitors entertained for hours. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended because you’ll be doing plenty of walking!
The Pumpkin Run has been a South Jersey tradition since the 1990s, when founder Harry Fleming and his friend Ralph Broschard returned from a car show in Pennsylvania with a simple idea: “We can do that!”
That idea grew into the annual celebration that thousands of people now look forward to each fall. What began as a modest gathering of cars has evolved into a sprawling showcase of automobiles, antique engines, tractors, collectibles and community spirit.
The event’s continued success is a testament to the people who make it happen, from the organizers and volunteers who prepare the property to the exhibitors who bring their vehicles and the visitors who return year after year.
It’s also a reminder that some of the best local traditions don’t need flashy attractions or complicated plans. Sometimes, all you need is a love of old cars, a little nostalgia, and a whole lot of personality.
Where else can you listen to live music, grab a bite from a food truck, shop for a stop sign, see an operating sawmill, snap a photo with a steam-powered engine, and watch a pumpkin fly through the air all in one place?
Only at Fleming’s Pumpkin Run!
Whether you’re coming for the horsepower, the history, the shopping, or simply the atmosphere, the 29th annual event offers a uniquely South Jersey experience that brings generations together.
So grab your family, round up your friends and make a day of it. With classic cars, fascinating machinery, one-of-a-kind finds and plenty of fall fun, the Pumpkin Run is ready to roll back into Egg Harbor Township for another memorable year.
Holly Martin has been immersed in the media world since 2012, building a dynamic and versatile career that spans nearly every corner of the industry. She has also hosted as a DJ and created the blog SNJ Sober Party Girl. She enjoys sharing stories that inspire connection and community.
