CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Drone operators will be barred from flying over downtown Circleville for several days next week as the city hosts its annual Pumpkin Show, under a temporary flight restriction issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Circleville Police Department said the restriction, formally known as a TFR, will prohibit all unmanned aircraft system operations within a 1-mile radius of downtown Circleville from the surface up to 400 feet above ground level. The restriction will be in effect daily from 8 a.m. to midnight from Oct. 20 through Oct. 24, covering the full run of the 2026 Pumpkin Show.
According to the FAA notice, designated FDC 6/9095, the restricted airspace is centered on a point near the Appleton VORTAC navigational beacon and was issued under the authority of Section 44812 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code, a federal provision that allows the FAA to restrict drone flights over large public gatherings for safety and security reasons.
The police department said the restriction applies to both recreational and commercial drone operators. Any unmanned aircraft operations needed for official operational, safety, security or regulatory compliance purposes must receive prior authorization and coordinate with law enforcement before flying within the restricted zone.
The FAA notice lists Circleville Police Capt. Bob Chapman as the point of contact for coordination requests.
Flying a drone within a temporary flight restriction without authorization can result in FAA enforcement action and other penalties, the police department said.
The Pumpkin Show has drawn large crowds to downtown Circleville every fall since 1903, and this year’s restriction follows a pattern the FAA has used at other major public events nationwide, imposing short-term airspace limits to keep drones away from dense crowds.
The police department asked residents and visitors to cooperate with the restriction to help keep the festival safe.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Circleville Police Department.
