Lords of the Gourds from across the Centre of the Continent are gathering in Rainy River this weekend to see who will have this year’s Giant Pumpkin.
The festival gets underway Saturday (Sept. 15) at 10 a.m. at the Rainy River Recreation Centre.
Eltjo “Hard Luck” Wiersema, longtime president of the Giant Pumpkin Festival, recently outlined this community event.
“We get things underway with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Forest Women’s Institute from 8-10 a.m. for only $4 per head and $2 for kids 10 and under.
“Then we have a 5K run starting at 9 a.m. from the rec centre,” he added.
Pumpkin entries start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m., with the official weighing starting then. The awards ceremony then starts at 2:30.
Top prize this year is again $1,000.
Last year for the first time, pumpkins topping 1,000 pounds were entered in the festival, with Ben Johnson of Kakabeka Falls taking top spot at 1,173 pounds and Don Kronk of Thunder Bay in second with a 1,032-pound specimen.
What will happen this year? Lords of the Gourds are notoriously secretive about the progress of their orange beauties, but general reports this year are that sizes are down somewhat.
Perhaps there should be a prize for most innovative excuse for failing to produce.
There are several other classes and prizes up for grabs other than the biggest pumpkin.
There is the oddest vegetable, the most beautiful pumpkin, the ugliest pumpkin, and the distance award, as well as a junior class for elementary school kids and the best-decorated pumpkin.
Other contests include guess the weight, seed spitting, and best pumpkin pie, plus other kids’ games and face-painting.
Beyond the giant pumpkins, a highlight of the whole day is the potluck lunch starting at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome with a tradition of a truly spectacular spread.
If you can, bring a hot or cold dish, but please join us.
Organized and operated entirely by volunteers, the Rainy River Giant Pumpkin Festival is an icon of what community spirit can accomplish.
So mark your calendar, load up the kids, and head down to Rainy River this Saturday (Sept. 15) for a great day of family fun.
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