One of the most unique Halloween-inspired events – the Knights Ferry Pumpkin Roll – is on the schedule for Sunday, Nov. 3.

“It is always held on the first Sunday after Halloween,” said longtime Knights Ferry resident Carol Davis, who serves as one of the hamlet’s historians.

This year will mark the 61st annual Pumpkin Roll and sign-ups will start at 10:45 a.m. in front of the Knights Ferry Community Club on Main Street.

The age category for girls and boys, up to age five, start off the roll at noon, on the tennis courts. The rest of the age groups roll on Main Street.

Categories begin with seniors, ages 62 and up, followed by kids ages six to 12; teens, ages 13 to 19; men, ages 20 to 62 and the women, ages 20 to 62, close out the competition.

There is free entry, but a small donation to the Community Club is gratefully accepted as a registration fee to take part in the roll. It is not required.

According to contest chairperson Tracy Griesner, the object of the game is to start at the corner of Main and Dent streets and roll your favorite pumpkin down toward the firehouse. The winner is the one who gets closest to the chalked finish line. The five age group categories rolling on Main Street will battle for the trophies to be presented to the top finisher, male and female, in each category.

The main event starts at 1 p.m. on Main Street.

Each year, a pick-up truck load of pumpkins is donated by George Perry and Sons of Manteca, one of the area’s largest growers, for the event. Participants can pick their favorite pumpkin for the roll.

In addition to the fun competition, the day also includes a pancake breakfast served at the IOOF Hall on Main Street from 8 a.m. until noon, as well as a craft faire in the Community Club House and on the tennis court. Vendor chair Megan Peterson said there are close to three dozen booths this year. Food and beverages will be available on site as well.

The Knights Ferry Museum will be open during the day, upstairs in Miller’s Hall.

“The major repair project has been completed on the front porch and balcony,” Davis explained of work done at the Hall building. “There is a lift available if anyone has trouble climbing stairs to the visit the museum.”

The building also houses the popular ice cream shop and the Knights Ferry Art Studio; both will be open.

“Our historic covered bridge is still closed to pedestrians,” noted Davis. “Word was received that the U.S. Amry Corps of Engineers has found a contractor for the repairs; no timeline for work yet.”

The Pumpkin Roll is a rain or shine event and the gourds have been rolling down Main Street in Knights Ferry the Sunday after Halloween for six decades now. Davis said it’s always fun and a huge crowd turns out to enjoy the day’s activities.

She said the day will also provide an “excellent opportunity to see if the salmon have made it up the Stanislaus River” as far as Knights Ferry.