Autumn festivities are being planned for the Ontario town of Saugeen Shores as the 39th annual Pumpkinfest gets underway this weekend.
Held on Oct. 5 and 6, the event features attractions for all ages, including a midway, musical performances, and more. Pumpkinfest is promoted as a
celebration of the fall harvest and community spirit in the Port Elgin area.
The main attraction is the massive-sized vegetables that are all weighed to compete for the title of heaviest in the bunch. There will be two separate weigh-offs, according to the event
website. One will be held on Saturday, the other on Sunday.
Pumpkinfest dates back to 1986 when the first pumpkin weigh-off was held. The event drew in about 200 people. Local growers brought in pumpkins weighing up to 250 pounds.
It
became an annual event and throughout the 1980s it moved locations—from downtown, to the beach, and then to the arena—and started attracting crowds of up to 6,000 people.
In 2016, the event returned to the downtown area to reconnect with the town’s car show.
Some of the events this year include an antique car show featuring 1,200 classic cars and performances from country rock band The Road Hammers and classic rockers 54•40.
Pumpkinfest also has a
pet show on Sunday where pet owners can enter their animals in various categories. Dogs, cats, and exotic pets are welcome.
Some of the categories for the pet show include best pumpkinfest costume, biggest dog, smallest dog, longest ears, best trick, longest whiskers, largest rabbit, smallest hamster, and most colourful guinea pig.
A local artist will also be demonstrating how to
carve images into giant pumpkins on both days of the event.
Other local artists will also be showing off their talents and hand-crafted wares at the
artists’ village, including quilts, candles, woodworking, and more. The event is located inside the Port Elgin legion.
Visitors can test their skills at the
junior firefighter obstacle course. Competitors of all ages can suit up and make their way through the obstacle course. There is also a chance to meet Sparky the fire dog.
