WZPL Indianapolis Plans 24th Annual Smiley Pumpkin Drop

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 4:38pm CT

Smiley Pumpkin Drop

WZPL-FM (99.5 ZPL) in Indianapolis will celebrate Halloween with the 24th annual Smiley Pumpkin Drop on Thursday, October 15, featuring a live broadcast of the "Smiley Morning Show" and the dramatic destruction of two giant pumpkins at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The free, family-friendly event will take place in the southwest parking lot of the fairgrounds, where a crane will lift a nearly 1,400-pound pumpkin hundreds of feet into the air before releasing it onto the concrete below. An additional 800-pound pumpkin will also be dropped from the same height.

The "Smiley Morning Show" will broadcast live from 6-10am ET, with the pumpkin drops scheduled around sunrise at approximately 8am.

Now in its 24th year, the Smiley Pumpkin Drop has become an Indianapolis Halloween tradition, combining the spectacle of oversized pumpkins crashing to the ground with activities and entertainment for families.

Attendees are encouraged to bring children in Halloween costumes for trick-or-treating, games, face painting, balloon art and other activities. Participating vendors include Hensley Legal Group, Hope Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Pet Butler and Dig Garden Center.

Food and refreshments will be available from Hometown Mini Donuts and Niyah Coffee, while entertainment will be provided by Indy Blast Laser Tag, Elite Video Game Truck and Silly Safaris.

The event is open to the public at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, located at 1125 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis, near the intersection of 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway.

The annual promotion continues WZPL's tradition of bringing listeners together for a seasonal event that combines live radio, community involvement and a memorable Halloween spectacle.