Size does matter after all… At least to the growers and sailors of giant vegetables. And what better way to usher in the spooky and ghoulish night of Halloween than with your own “Great Pumpkin” boat. (Eat your heart out Charlie Brown!)
As the foul weather blows in, folks in two western states try their best to cope with the falling leaves and pre-holiday lull, by racing 1,000 pound of pumpkin goodness on area waterways.
In Oregon and Utah there are two official festivals which feature pumpkin “regattas”, as competitors race against each other in carved out jack o’ lanterns. The races feature actual heats, where participants have the opportunity to raise money for the community and charity. The super crop boats, are able to accommodate a single navigator with a kayak paddle, and maneuver surprisingly well through the chilly water. Of course the growers of giant vegetables provide the vessels, and thankfully do not charge by the pound.
To top off the events, each pumpkin boat captain is expected to don a full costume, as the race competitors and spectators gear up for trick or treating. While a night of candy is a few weeks away, kids are rewarded with seeds from the huge vegetables, and they can attempt to grow their own boats for future race endeavors.
For those interested in attending a link to the Oregon event can be found here, and the Utah event here.
WATCH: The Pumpkin Boat Races