Giant pumpkins go from the patch to water for annual regattas

Pumpkin regattas are quirky, family-friendly competitions where massive pumpkins are transformed into boats, and participants race them across lakes or rivers.

These events have grown in popularity across North America, with towns hosting them as part of their fall celebrations. The tradition of pumpkin regattas, while lighthearted, combines impressive feats of agriculture with fun and entertainment.

Wayne Hackney of Winchester, New Hampshire is credited as the first American to paddle a giant pumpkin he grew in 1996. However, the Windsor Pumpking Regatta soon kicked off on Canada in 1999, with the trend spreading across North America.

The pumpkins used in regattas are not your average jack-o-lanters. Weighing in at well over 1,000 pounds, they typically are from the C. maxima species, which are known for having big cells, high water content, and best of all, they don’t stop growing.

Growers begin cultivating them around mid-April, with the pumpkins being pollinated in June or July. By September or October, they are ready to be carved and hollowed out for regattas. While smaller pumpkins around 600-800 pounds are ideal for carving and paddling, some regattas use massive pumpkins weighing over 1,200 pounds, though they are more challenging to maneuver in the water.

In a typical pumpkin regatta, participants hollow out the pumpkins, hop inside, and paddle their way across the water using traditional paddles. The main rule is that no motors are allowed, keeping the race entirely human-powered. Participants often dress in fun, themed costumes, ranging from superheroes to animals, adding an extra layer of entertainment to the spectacle. In Tualatin, the races have grown to include four heats to accommodate the thousands of attendees and paddlers. The events usually feature growers, sponsors, local first responders, and members of the public.

Each regatta varies slightly in format, but the races usually consist of a quarter-mile course. Contestants try to navigate the heavy, waterlogged pumpkins without tipping over or sinking — a common outcome for many paddlers.

Here are a few crowd favorites happening in October

Tualatin, Oregon

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Tualatin, Oregon, is one of the most well-known regattas in the country. Since 2004, this event has drawn thousands of spectators and participants who paddle their way across Tualatin Commons Lake in pumpkins weighing up to 1,200 pounds.

Participants, dressed in fun costumes, paddle these pumpkins across Tualatin Commons Lake in a race like no other. The pumpkins, grown by members of the Pacific West Coast Growers, are carved into boats after being placed in the water to determine their best-floating position. Participants navigate a quarter-mile course, though not all pumpkins make it to the finish line — some sink or tip over due to water intake.

The festival also includes a 5K run, pumpkin carving, and other pumpkin-themed games. The regatta has become a major attraction in the Pacific Northwest, combining community spirit with an exciting, quirky race. The event is coming up on Oct. 20 with some of the racers already preparing.

Windsor, Nova Scotia

Though it’s technically across the border, the Windsor Pumpkin Regatta in Nova Scotia deserves mention for inspiring many U.S. regattas. Founded in 1999, it became famous for its quirky fun and massive pumpkin boats, even attracting the attention of Martha Stewart.

The event has since moved to Shelburne, with the event taking place for the third year in a row on Oct. 12 as part of the Shelburne County Giant Pumpkin Festival. The winners are featured on their social media page.

Stillwater, Minnesota

Stillwater, Minnesota, is home to the annual St. Croix Valley Pumpkin Regatta. This event features giant pumpkins being paddled down the St. Croix River by enthusiastic participants. Held in October, it attracts both locals and visitors alike who come to witness the spectacle of these oversized gourds navigating the waters. Stillwater’s event includes community festivities, adding to the charm and appeal of the regatta.

Their regatta was held this past Sunday, in an intense face-off between boaters.

Damariscotta, Maine

Maine hosts one of the country’s most charming pumpkin regattas in Damariscotta, a small coastal town known for its annual Pumpkinfest & Regatta.

The event, held every October, includes a series of pumpkin-related activities, but the highlight is the pumpkin boat race, where massive pumpkins float down the Damariscotta River. Locals and tourists alike flock to this event, enjoying the playful competition and fall-themed festivities that celebrate the region’s farming culture.

Goffstown, New Hampshire

Goffstown, New Hampshire, hosts its own version of the pumpkin regatta as part of the town’s fall festival. The race features local growers and community members navigating pumpkins through the water after weighing, slicing, scooping, and transforming the squash into vessels fit for the river.

Events in Goffstown are set to kick off on Friday, Oct. 19.

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