People walk past a vintage Ford Thunderbird on Methvin Street during the Longview Cruisers Downtown Cruise Night car show on Oct. 7, 2023. [Jordan Green/Longview News-Journal File Photo]

The third annual Longview Great Pumpkin Roll is set Saturday in conjunction with the third annual Ollie’s Skate Shop Downtown Takeover as well as the Longview Cruisers Cruise Night car show.

Rollin’ on

The Longview Great Pumpkin Roll will run from 3 to 6 p.m. at 420 Center St., a literal high point in Longview’s history. From the top of that hill, town founder O.H. Methvin and land surveyors looked out over East Texas in 1870 and said: “That’s a long view.” That was the genesis for the town’s name — and today, it’s a playground ripe for pumpkin rolling.

“The pumpkin roll is not like anything else I’ve ever seen,” said C.J. Clayton with Visit Longview. “It’s so exciting to watch people roll a pumpkin down a hill. … It’s so much fun to be up there and know why we’re named Longview.”

The pumpkin roll is hosted by Visit Longview and Downtown Longview, and it is open to children and adults. Participants will let their orange objects roll down Center Street to see whose travels the farthest, and prizes will be awarded to those who have the longest rolls or hit targets on the street. Registration for the competition will take place at the site of the event.

The pumpkin roll isn’t to be confused with the delectable dessert of the same name. It’s a physical act in this case, and each roll of the pumpkin costs $2. Participants can bring their own pumpkins or purchase them on-site for $3 each while supplies last. (Per contest guidelines, pumpkins can’t be modified in any way, although their stems can be removed.)

Vendors will set up booths to sell their wares at the competition, and the Lil’ Pumpkin Coloring Contest for children is set 3 to 6 p.m. A pie-eating contest is set to begin at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Volunteers for the pumpkin roll are still being sought, and those interested in helping should contact Visit Longview by calling (903) 753-3281.

Food trucks will be set up 3 to 7 p.m. further down Center Street. The Visit Longview downtown store, 109 W. Tyler St., will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. so folks can buy souvenirs and gifts.

To learn more about the pumpkin roll or to read the rules for the competition, visit tinyurl.com/longviewpumpkin .

Skating by

Skateboarders will rule the roost during the two-part Ollie’s Skate Shop Downtown Takeover set 2 to 6 p.m.

The first part of the event is the “hill bomb” on Center Street, where a police officer will use a radar gun to measure people’s top speeds as they rush down the hill on skateboards, long boards, cruisers or skates. The hill bomb will begin at 2 p.m.

At 3 p.m., a street contest for skateboarders will take place on West Tyler Street in front of Ollie’s Skate Shop, 105 W. Tyler St. Bleachers will be set up for viewers, but people are encouraged to bring their own chairs, too. West Tyler and Center streets will be closed during the event.

Participant registration for the hill bomb and the street contest will take place 11 a.m. to 1:30 pm. at Ollie’s Skate Shop.

The entry fee for the hill bomb is $5. For the street contest, professional registration costs $35, and amateur registration costs $25. Various prizes will be awarded. Participants 17 and younger must have parental consent, and all participants must sign a waiver of liability.

“This event is for our community to get together and support each other,” the event listing states.

Cruising along

While skateboarding action might lure those who enjoy engine-less transportation, classic car lovers will congregate 4 to 7 p.m. on Methvin Street in front of the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Center St., for the Longview Cruisers Cruise Night car show.

The event takes place on the first Saturday of each month.