The sound of brass bands echoed through the streets of Sovata on Friday as hussars, schoolchildren and locals launched the 11th edition of the Pumpkin Festival, an event that has transformed the Transylvanian spa resort from a traditional off-season destination into one of Romania's most popular autumn attractions.

What began more than a decade ago as a modest effort to extend the tourist season has grown into a celebration expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors, filling hotels, restaurants and public spaces with shades of orange, folk traditions and festive energy.

'We bought 2,000 pumpkins just for the schools,' Sovata Mayor Fülöp László Zsolt said. 'Local businesses bought even more. We have brought pumpkins from other parts of Mures County and from Harghita County. Nobody would have imagined in the beginning that we would reach such a scale, not only in the number of pumpkins but also in the number of visitors.'

The festival's success has exceeded all expectations this year. Accommodation in the resort sold out two weeks before the opening parade, a development that the mayor says effectively signals the end of Sovata's traditional off-season.

'If the weather remains favorable, there will also be many day-trippers. We cannot know the exact number, but I estimate tens of thousands of visitors,' he said.

For a town whose economy depends heavily on tourism, the event has become a model of how creativity and community involvement can reshape a seasonal destination.

The origin of the festival was surprisingly simple. Fülöp recalls that the idea emerged from a Hungarian saying loosely translated as 'it doesn't matter what we do, as long as we do something.'

Thanks to its versatility, the pumpkin proved to be the perfect choice.

'It can be food, decoration and much more. Looking back, nothing happened by accident. We are now at the 11th edition, and in recent years the festival has become more colorful, better organized and has reached a truly enviable level,' he said.

Throughout the weekend, the resort's main promenade, the Rose Alley, is lined with hundreds of autumn-themed displays, handcrafted decorations, artisan stalls and pumpkin-based culinary specialties.

Each year brings entirely new installations as schools, artists and local businesses compete to create the most imaginative decorations.

'Every year, the arrangements are different; each edition is a one-off event, and the participating artists are different as well. I think we are a little different, too, because each year we gain more experience and hope that we have become better,' Fülöp László Zsolt concluded.

Immediately after Friday's official opening ceremony, the festivities moved to Petofi Park, where children enjoyed a concert by the band Karavan before heading out to decorate hotels, guesthouses and public spaces throughout the resort.

The scale of the operation is impressive, as thousands of pumpkins are distributed across schools and tourism businesses, turning the entire town into an open-air exhibition.

For many tourists, the festival's appeal lies not only in the pumpkins but also in the setting.

'It is incredible how the resort has transformed,' said Adela Ioanide, a Bucharest native who has lived in Sweden for more than 20 years. 'The first thing that struck me was the colour. Orange is everywhere. The opening parade was full of energy, with the hussars and children marching to the brass band. What is truly extraordinary is the creativity of the locals. At every corner you find something made from pumpkins, from spectacular decorations to delicious food. The whole community seems involved. I heard from the hotel reception that thousands of pumpkins have been purchased just for the schools and that the resort has been fully booked for two weeks! I can't wait for the concerts over the coming evenings, and I feel as though the whole town has turned into one big open-air party.'

Other visitors pointed to the natural scenery surrounding the resort, enhanced by the colorful foliage of the deciduous forest.

'The festival is wonderful, but the landscape leaves you speechless,' said Veronica, who travelled to Sovata with her family. 'The architecture is beautiful, and the surrounding deciduous forests are displaying incredible shades of yellow, copper and red. The autumn colours perfectly complement the orange decorations. For families with children, the tourist mini-train is a great way to explore the town and enjoy both the festival and the scenery.'

The festival programme combines local culture, modern entertainment and traditional folklore.

Friday's events feature performances by local musicians and DJs, while Saturday brings dance shows, fitness demonstrations and major concerts, culminating with a headline performance by Romanian artist The Urs.

Sunday shifts the focus to folk traditions, with performances by the Tücsökraj Folk Orchestra and the Sirülok Folk Dance Ensemble.

For one autumn weekend, Sovata becomes far more than a spa resort. Wrapped in the colours of the surrounding forests and the glow of thousands of pumpkins, the town offers visitors a reminder that tradition, community spirit and a simple idea can grow into something much larger than anyone imagined. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dorina Matis; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)