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Celebrate The Start Of Fall In Weymouth With The Annual Pumpkin Give-A-Wey!

Weymouth’s Annual “Pumpkin Give-A-Wey” Autumn has a unique way of weaving magic in the air. You can feel the crisp morning (if you’re an early riser like I am), and…

a bunch of pumpkins in a pile

Who doesn’t love pumpkins? And live music? And farmers markets?

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Weymouth's Annual "Pumpkin Give-A-Wey"

Autumn has a unique way of weaving magic in the air. You can feel the crisp morning (if you're an early riser like I am), and the tantalizing scent of pumpkin spice outside of every Dunkin' drive-thru. Every town has its special way of welcoming this season, but for the residents of Weymouth, MA, the "Pumpkin Give-A-Wey" stands out as a fun yearly tradition.

Set to take place on October 1st at the Weymouth High School, this annual event is a great experience for families and friends. Not only should you bring your kids, but you can bring your dog as well! Just make sure they're on a leash. The "Give-A-Wey" is from from 10 am to 2 pm. And the best part? Entrance to this South Shore fall extravaganza is absolutely free!

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Pick a Pumpkin, Make a Difference

The highlight of the event is, of course, the pumpkin giveaway. Participants willing to make a donation to a non-profit are ushered into a sprawling grassy arena where they can handpick their favorite pumpkin. It's not just about securing a pumpkin for your Halloween jack-o-lantern or pie; it's also about contributing to a worthy cause and being part of a community tradition.

Pumpkins on a farm

The annual fall pumpkin "Give-A-Wey" is on October 1st at the Weymouth High School. This is a free event and you'll be able to pick a pumpkin!

A Culinary and Musical Fiesta

But the pumpkins are merely the beginning. Those attending can buy food and treats from various food trucks that will line the parking lot. From comfort food to gourmet offerings, there's something for everyone. Usually there is live music too!

Farewell to the Outdoor Farmers' Market

The Pumpkin "Give-A-Wey" also marks the poignant close of the outdoor farmers' market for the summer season. Vendors will set up tents to showcase their unique hand-made items. I will be there selling my handmade baby bibs that morning as well! There are dozens of vendors that will be excited to sell you their beautiful items.

Moreover, attendees will have a chance to stock up on fresh produce, dairy, and other delicacies directly sourced from farms. It's an opportunity to support local businesses, and I highly encourage it!

Games, Fun, and Community Spirit

The "Pumpkin Give-A-Wey" has, over the years, grown to be one of the most significant turnouts in the town of Weymouth. It's not merely an event; it's a cherished tradition, a testament to the town's close-knit community and their shared love for all things autumn.

So, mark your calendars, grab your family and friends, and head over to Weymouth High School on October 1st. Celebrate the magic of fall, support local artisans and farmers, and be part of a tradition that defines the heart and soul of Weymouth. See you there!

Donut King in Weymouth’s 13 Best-Selling Donuts Ranked

Massachusetts has some pretty dang good local donut shops. In the South Shore the donut shop that currently reigns supreme is Donut King in Weymouth. It opened in 1987 when Sin and Denise Ty immigrated from Cambodia to the United States and wanted to open a business they could build and pass on to their kids. They have now built that business and the whole family is now involved - and the entire South Shore loves their delicious donuts (and full breakfasts too).

My family took on the daunting task (that's sarcasm) of tasting the Donut King's 13 top-selling donuts and rating them from good to best (they're all really good). My family has varying tastes so I'm hoping this will be a fair ranking. We each scored each donut on a scale of 1-10. I averaged the scores and voila! Here they are - Donut King in Weymouth's 13 Best-Selling Donuts Ranked:

#13 - Vanilla Cream

Filled like a donut-bun vanilla cream sandwich, if you love cream-filled this may be your jam. We liked it but preferred a different cream-filled staple a little further up the list.

Donut

#12 - Jelly

I love jelly donuts. The only reason this is so low on the list is because of how great all of Donut King's donuts are. I wish they all could be in the Top 5. Yummy jelly donuts for sure! We were guessing a raspberry jelly (maybe strawberry?) but obviously we weren't sure.

jelly donutJackson Blue's iphone

#11 - Cruller

A delicious twist of vanilla and chocolate - a creative twist on the usual cruller - covered in sweet glaze.

crullerJackson Blue

#10 - Chocolate Glazed

Chocolate cake donut with delicious crispiness dipped in sugary glaze. Classic and delish.

chocolate glazed donutJackson Blue

#9 - Maple Bacon

I'm from Vermont. I bleed maple. The maple frosting on these donuts is soooooooo good. If it were just a maple donut this would be top 3 for me. BUT - truth be told - my family isn't huge on the bacon on sweet things fad. I know, we're in the minority on that. So if you like the maple bacon combo - I think you'll love this. The bacon was crisp and crumbled perfectly.

maple bacon donutJackson Blue

#8 - Strawberry Frosted

We thought this was the prettiest donut, look at that thing!! Delicious too, though it was so pretty I considered lacquering it and hanging it on the wall.

strawberry frosted donutJackson Blue

#7 - Butter Crunch

Crunchy, glaze, cake... all things yum! You can't go wrong with a good butter crunch donut and this one won't let you down!

butter crunch donutJackson Blue

#6 - Red Velvet

Now we're splitting hairs because this could just as easily be #1. I love the color of Donut King's red velvet donuts. It pops! And it's an awesome surprise when you bite in. It's moist on the inside and had me coming back to sneak another bite a few times when nobody was looking.

red velvet donutJackson Blue

#5 - Boston Cream

Donut King's Boston Cream could easily be #1 as well. If you're a Boston Cream fan you have to try the Donut King's. The cream is delicious and I love how the chocolate on the outside isn't too sweet. We live in Massachusetts where if we don't eat our quota of Boston Cream things we have to leave the state so... you know.... go get one.

boston cream donutJackson Blue

#4 - Coconut Honey Dip

This is my wife's favorite. It's squishy and fresh like a honey dip with the added flakiness from coconut on the exterior. If you like coconut, this is a must try.

coconut honey dip donutJackson Blue

#3 - Cinnamon Butter Crunch

Speaking of must try, this donut made me imagine what would happen if a coffee cake and a donut had a baby. It would be this. Like cinnamon? Love this.

cinnamon butter crunchJackson Blue

#2 - Coconut Butter Crunch

I misspoke before. THIS was actually my wife's favorite donut. Take that awesome butter crunch donut and mix in some coconut on the exterior. It works perfectly and will have you sneaking back to Donut King for another.

coconut butter crunch donutJackson Blue

#1 - Honey Dip

It's classic. It's light. It's fluffy. And it's perfectly done. Sometimes simple wins when simple is done as flawlessly as this. And don't get me wrong - I know it's not as simple as it seems. I've been back there in the Donut King kitchen while they're making these and there's a LOT that goes into it! And it's all worthwhile because daaaammmmnnnn that's a good donut!

honey dip donutJackson Blue

I made this minute-or-so video on the Donut King

Take a peek behind the scenes:

Ayla Brown is the host of "Country Mornings With Ayla Brown" from 5:30-9am. You can read the rest of her blogs here. Ayla Brown

Ayla Brown has been an on-air morning show host with Country 102.5 since 2018. Before taking this once-in-a-lifetime job, Ayla was (and still is) a country music singer. In 2006, she placed 13th on American Idol. In 2012 and 2013 she celebrated her Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium debut, and over the years she has visited 13 countries overseas to sing for the American Troops. Country music is in Ayla Brown’s soul. Not only does she sing it, but she gets to talk about it every day on “Country Mornings with Jonathan and Ayla.” Ayla is happily married to singer-songwriter, Rob Bellamy, and they welcomed a son named Barrett in August of 2022. In her free time, she loves to sew baby bibs and experiment with new recipes in the kitchen. She also loves to travel and try new foods. Ayla writes about Boston area happenings, parenting, holistic lifestyle and living, and travel.