WESTVILLE | A chilly breeze and intermittent showers didn't dampen the spirit of the Lewis family at this weekend's Westville Pumpkin Fest.

"We like to support this because we live in Westville," Donna Lewis said. "The food is good, and the prices are reasonable."

"I even wore my pumpkin outfit," joked Corbitt Lewis, dressed in a bright orange fleece jacket and black turtleneck.

Pumpkin orange was the color of the day, as those who shopped with festival vendors could choose pumpkin candles, pumpkin dish towels, pumpkin yard signs, and pumpkin chip dip dishes.

Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, and pumpkin cookies were available as sweet treats to end a feast of festival food, including pork chops, chicken, polish sausage and pizza.

This year's 19th annual festival also included a Saturday morning parade, a tractor pull, a Tri Kappa run/walk, bingo, a car show, carnival rides, a pancake breakfast, and food and craft vendors.

New this year was a Pumpkin Queen contest, which at one penny per vote, raised $500 for Tri Kappa. Elaine Jackson, a sophomore at Westville High School, took the crown to preside over festival events.

"The money goes back into the community," said Jan Buchanan, of Tri Kappa, which helped organize the fest.

After fair skies Saturday morning, the steady afternoon rain caused vendors to close up shop early. But festival organizers didn't let the inclement weather get them down.

"We've done this so long, I think we've been through everything," Buchanan said.

Julia Lewis and her friend Abby Phillips, of Valparaiso, enjoyed a walking taco -- loaded tortilla chips served in a bag -- and a ride on the tilt-a-whirl, until raindrops cut short their evening.

"I'm a little disappointed, but we had fun," Julia said.