It was yet another record-breaking year at the Pilger Pumpkin Festival as the skid steer strained to get this year’s chart topper on the scale.
The annual festival was back bigger and better than ever on Saturday, September 28. The kids' section was greatly expanded this year including large scale games, the ever-popular bouncy castles, face painting and tattoo artistry thanks to Humboldt Ink.
This is our 18th annual Pumpkin Festival,” said President Reanne Williams, new to the post this year. “Every year we are trying to add in new events, new things to do trying to make it bigger and better every year.”
Reanne says that the organization is always looking for feedback as to what improvements or additional events patrons would like, hence the new additions this year.
Also back were the unlimited burgers, the plentiful pumpkin desserts available by donation, and the always awesome horse drawn carriage rides.
Inside the community hall, visitors relaxed in a comfortable space with coffee and desserts while they were treated to music and stories by Walter Bushman.
Then the excitement mounted as the pumpkins were lifted, lugged and hoisted to the scale while the dollars went down to see who could guess the closest weight.
Last year’s record breaker of 900 pounds was eclipsed by this year’s winning entry, coming in at a whopping 1046.5 pounds, grown by last year’s winner Vic Bergen of Drake. Chris Bergen came in 2nd with a more than respectable 739-pound entry.
In the junior category, Grayson Strem took top honours for his 164-pound pumpkin, while Leo Turner was not far behind at 160 pounds.
This ongoing success relies on an entire community of volunteers, some making their way from Humboldt to organize and work at the event.
“I cannot tell you how much I appreciate every single volunteer we have who comes out to help. We couldn’t put the event on without them; they are at the heart of this. It’s so nice to see everyone come together.”
The weather was perfect for the outdoor portions of the event with everyone basking in the sunshine, marvelling at the entrants to this year’s horticultural hall of honour at the Pilger Pumpkin Festival.