Pumpkin plates: Circleville Pumpkin Show gets its own license plate

If you're looking for a new way to spice up your love of fall and all things pumpkins, Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles may have just the thing on November 3rd: A Circleville Pumpkin Show specialty license plate.

"There's a lot of great themed specialty plates in Ohio, and we’re glad to soon be one of them," Pumpkin Show Vice President Barry Keller said in a committee meeting. "I know a lot of Circleville residents and pumpkin show volunteers who are excited to get one."

He said the idea actually came from the show's volunteers who wanted a way to show off their love for the annual event. And State Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, was happy to oblige − even if it meant eating a slice of humble pie.

"When I was running for this job I may have been at an event or two where I said I am going to Columbus to work on the big issues, not just spend my time working on license plate bills...," Stewart said. "God has a sense of humor though and a way of humbling us all. I love the Circleville Pumpkin Show and was happy to sponsor the bill creating it."

The plates can go on most noncommercial vehicles for a $25 contribution (on top of your regular BMV plate fees) and an additional $10 administrative fee.

"It's a great way to raise money for the organization, but it's also just a great way for people to show their pride," Stewart said. "there are a lot of places that would love to have something that they are known for; that they take pride in; that people all over the country know about."

The show, which started in 1903, brings in about half a million people each year.

As for the sour apples who gripe about lawmakers wasting time on license plates bills, Stewart said that unlike the giant pumpkins on display every year, this kind of legislation "is not a heavy lift."

"In terms of time. you might have a day's worth of work in it by the time the whole thing is done," he said. "But it's something that generates a lot of excitement locally."

For those looking to attend the festivities in Circleville this year, the pumpkin show runs from Oct. 19-22.

Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Circleville Pumpkin Show Ohio license plates coming in November