'Tis the season for pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes and, according to a popular meme, pumpkin spice oil changes!
And if you happen to be in Tualatin, Oregon, it's the season for the 19th annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. Pumpkins weighing 500-1500 pounds are hollowed out to serve as seafaring vessels.
According to City of Tualatin Parks and Recreation, the heaviest pumpkin that ever weighed in at their annual Terminator Weigh Off was in 2018, tipping the scales at 2,469 pounds.
Local artist Brenna White creates stunning posters for the event. She will be on the main plaza signing posters and sharing her new children's book, "How to Grow a Pumpkin."
The Giant Pumpkin Regatta opens at 10 am on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at Tualatin's Lake of the Commons, 13 miles southwest of downtown Portland. In previous years, the day before the event, wannabee oarspersons purchase raffle tickets for chances to paddle a pumpkin in costume in one of the races the next day. This year, the paddlers were chosen from an online lottery that happened in late August.
Spectators have the opportunity to watch two different races, the first is the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers race at noon. It is followed by the Regatta sponsors when Tualatin Police, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, and paddlers from as far as Florida, Texas and Canada battle it out in three more races at 2 pm.
In addition the free event offers pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, pumpkin checkers, pumpkin crafts, costume contests, and plenty of seasonal victuals.
The weekend event also includes a 5K Run/Walk.
Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers (PGVG) and their members are the generous people that supply the pumpkins for the Regatta. For more information about growing giant vegetablesor participating in the Terminator weigh off at the Regatta visit the PGVG website.
The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta Facebook page is here.
