Nestled in the heart of the Illinois River Valley, Morton not only offers some of the best in Illinois living, it is also home to the Nestlé USA/Libby’s plant that produces over 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin market – effectively making Morton “The Pumpkin Capital of the World.”

Opened in 1925, the Libby’s pumpkin plant has exclusively processed pumpkins since 1970. In 1967, the local Libby’s pumpkin plant celebrated the beginning of the pumpkin harvest and canning season with the first-ever Morton Pumpkin Festival. It was not until 1978 that then-Illinois Governor Jim Thompson signed a proclamation declaring Morton the pumpkin capital of the world.

Today, the town continues to celebrate their accolade through the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival, which includes over 30 special events and venues organized by more than 1,500 volunteers. Each year, the festival brings in an estimated 75,000 visitors from around the state and members of the Morton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Pumpkin Festival Advisory Committee all gather to oversee the festival’s activities.

Throughout the years, the Morton Chamber of Commerce has donated more than $600,000 in proceeds to local nonprofit organizations and in support of community projects. The Morton Community celebrated their 58th annual festival this September and awaits the fall season to get into the pumpkin spirit.