Giant pumpkins, costumed paddlers and plenty of fall fun return to Tualatin’s Lake of the Commons on Sunday, October 18, for the 2026 West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., thousands of spectators will gather to watch costumed competitors climb into enormous hollowed-out pumpkins and paddle their way around the lake. Pumpkin races take place at noon and 2 p.m., but the races are just part of the fun. Visitors can enjoy pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, live entertainment, food, games, crafts and more. Admission is free.

The Regatta began in 2004 when members of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers were looking for a place to hold an end-of-season paddle with a handful of giant pumpkins. More than two decades later, that quirky idea has grown into one of Oregon’s most anticipated fall festivals, attracting visitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

The event simply wouldn’t be possible without the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers (PGVG), who provide all the giant pumpkins used in the Regatta. The organization’s members spend months carefully growing these massive vegetables, some weighing more than 1,000 pounds, before transforming them into the unusual boats that make the Regatta famous.

The event also showcases local artistic talent. Tualatin artist Brenna White creates the Regatta’s distinctive annual poster artwork and T-shirts. Since 2010, Brenna has created a new original painting for the event each year, making her colorful artwork a favorite among Regatta fans and collectors. Visitors can meet Brenna and purchase her artwork at the festival.

A special thank-you goes to this year’s generous sponsors, whose support helps make this free community event possible. Sasquash sponsors include Toyota, Adidas Employee Store, Adventist Health, Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin, Explore Tualatin Valley, Heritage Grove Federal Credit Union, New Seasons Market, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Portland and Western Rail Road, and Senft Legal.

Gourdzilla sponsors are Champion Windows, Emler Swim School, Firehouse Subs, Hearth Folk Studios, Jacuzzi, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Leafguard of Oregon, NW Natural, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, Oregon Charter Academy, Parkwood Clinic, RECS, Stickmen Brewing Company, Student Transportation of America, and Window Nation.

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a celebration of giant vegetables, local creativity and community spirit. It is a uniquely Tualatin tradition that brings people together for a day of laughter, fun and plenty of giant pumpkins. Bring the family, enjoy the fall festivities and cheer on the brave souls willing to paddle a pumpkin across the lake!

Visit the City’s website for a complete list of activities, information on parking, the Pumpkin Shuttle, and the bike valet at
parks.tualatinoregon.gov/events/pumpkin-regatta.

About the Pumpkin Regatta/Schedule of Events

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta began in 2004 when the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers sought a location for an end-of-season paddle featuring a few giant pumpkins. What started as a small gathering has since evolved into the award-winning West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, hosted at the Lake of the Commons, which now attracts tens of thousands of attendees each year.

Over the past two decades, the Regatta has earned a national reputation as one of Oregon’s most anticipated fall events, drawing spectators from the Pacific Northwest, across the U.S., and even Canada. It has garnered significant media attention, being featured on platforms like Wild Travels on OPB, CNN, and The Travel Channel, and has been recognized as one of the “Seven Best Fall Festivals in the United States” by National Geographic and one of the “Top 24 Fall Festivals in the U.S.” by US News & World Report.

The Regatta boasts a variety of activities, including kids’ costume contests, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, live entertainment, souvenirs, delicious hot food, and much more.

A special thanks goes to the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers (PGVG), whose members generously supply the pumpkins that make the Regatta possible. For more information on the PGVG, growing giant vegetables, or participating in the Terminator Weigh-Off, visit their website at www.pgvg.org.

Admission to the festival is free, as are most of the activities.

Schedule of Events

10:00am Welcome and Sponsor Recognition by Mayor Bubenik
10:15am Tualatin High School Marching Band Pep Rally
11:00am Jugglemania with Rhys Thomas (Main Stage)
11:00am Pillage People-A Cappella Pirates (East Side)
11:30am Rose City Dancing Witches (East Side)
12:00pm Pumpkin Races 1 & 2
1:00pm Jugglemania with Rhys Thomas on the main stage
1:00pm Pillage People-A Cappella Pirates (East Side)
1:30pm Rose City Dancing Witches (East Side)
2:00pm Pumpkin Races 3, 4, & 5
3:00pm Kids’ Costume Contest
4:00pm Event Closes

Pumpkin Races

The pumpkin races will be at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

12:00 PM:

Heat One – This race is for members of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers. This fabulous club grows the pumpkins for the Regatta. They paddle their own pumpkins or can have a friend paddle for them.

Heat Two – This race is for our Sasquash Sponsors and invited special guests.

2:00 PM:

Heat Three – Tualatin Police, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and paddlers from the online paddling quest

Heat Four and Five – These races are for the people that were selected from the online paddling quest.

Getting to the Regatta

Parking around the Lake of the Commons is limited, so consider taking advantage of the event’s transportation options. A free Pumpkin Shuttle will be available, along with a free bike valet and ADA parking.

Shuttle routes, parking locations, ADA parking details, bike valet information and other transportation updates will be posted on the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta website as details are finalized.

Please respect all posted no-parking signs and be considerate of our neighbors and local businesses that are open during the event.

Activities

• Pumpkin Bowling – Knock down bowling pins using a pumpkin in one of four bowling lanes. 
• Pumpkin Golf – Try to hit floating golf balls into pumpkins in the lake. 
• Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe – Look for tic tac toe around the lake and play with mini pumpkins.
• Pumpkin Checkers – Stop and play pumpkin checkers at one of the boards set up around the lake
• Pumpkin Decorating sponsored by Tualatin Together
• Kids’ Costume Contest. Sign-up begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Information Tent. Limit of 25 kids per age group.
• Jugglemania performances by Rhys Thomas
• Zombie Shoot Out – Sponsored by Impact Action Sports
• Face Painting
• Craft Tent – Sponsored by Willowbrook Arts Camp
• Professional Pumpkin Carvers – Watch pro carvers Tom Lindskog and Tim Pate work their magic
• Giant Pumpkin Selfie Station – Snap a pic with the top three winners from the Terminator Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off
• Regatta Swag – Visit the Pumpkin Regatta Store to pick up T-shirts, posters, stickers, and more!
• Strolling Entertainment – Keep an eye out for strolling entertainment by the Tualatin High School Marching Band, The Pillage People A Cappella Pirates, Rose City Dancing Witches, Roaming Pirates, stilt walkers, and Rhys Thomas’s giant puppets!
• Giant Coloring Mural

Food and Artisan Vendors/Sponsor Booths

FOOD VENDORS

Food courts will be located on both sides of the lake with a variety of delicious cuisines and snacks.

• Arrow Coffee and Desserts –
  waffles, breakfast sandwiches, coffee drinks
• Asona Cuisine, LLC – West African rice bowls, sandwiches, tacos.
• Bondi Bowls – smoothies and smoothie bowls.
• Cousins Maine Lobster – lobster rolls, lobster grilled cheese, lobster tots
• Four Corners – Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Handmade Vietnam Food – Bahn mi, egg rolls, dumplings.
• Hotdogs Alexis – gourmet hot dogs
• Crust and Corner – Detroit style pizza
• Lee Farms – donuts, caramel apples, cider
• Lemon Smash – flavored and premium lemonades
• Phoenix Delights – licorice ropes, freeze-dried candy
• Pacific NW Kettle Corn – fresh popped kettle corn
• Pilgrim’s Roasted Nut’Z – Roasted nuts
• Qualiserve – Philly Cheesesteak, corndogs, elephant ears, lemonade
• RB Wok and Grill – teriyaki chicken, veggie stir-fry, noodles
• Rosa’s Churros – Fresh, filled churros and bagged cotton candy.
• The Chop Spot – chicken sundaes
• Vertical Grounds Coffee – espresso beverages

Visit one of the wonderful restaurants around the Lake of the Commons:

• Artur Cafe
• Brix Tavern
• CI Bar and Grill
• DOJA Tea Lounge
• El Juan Colorado
• G Man Sports Bar
• Grab a Gyro
• Lee’s Kitchen
• Rosie’s Kitchen
• Roxy’s Island Grill
• Tualatin Station

ARTISAN VENDORS

• Brenna White Design and Illustration

Regatta artist extraordinaire, Brenna White, will be back on the main plaza! Meet the artist and purchase her amazing artwork, including prints, cards, and more. 

• Lefty’s Custom Glass

Glass artist Tim Jaquet will be on the plaza selling hand-blown glass pumpkins and ghosts.

• BBNW Candles

Fan favorite BBNW Candles will be selling their amazing fall candles.

• The Bear Crafter

Roy McGill, The Bear Crafter, will be on the plaza selling his felt and wool ornaments, blown glass, and pottery.

• Thistle and Tale Press

Joshua Milligan and Ruby Bloom of Thistle and Tale Press will be selling their charming hand-crafted books, cards, and art prints.

• Little Bluebird Crochet

Adorable, handmade crochet pieces that make the perfect cozy and unique fall finds.

PARTNER BOOTHS

• Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers – Visit with the giant pumpkin pros to find out how they grow insanely giant vegetables and get some seeds of your own!
• Island Sponsor: Toyota
• Adidas Employee Store
• Adventist Health
• Champion Windows
• Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin
• Emler Swim School
• Firehouse Subs
• Hearth Folk Studios
• Heritage Grove Federal Credit Union
• Jacuzzi
• LeafFilter Gutter Protection
• Leafguard of Oregon
• New Seasons Market 
• OnPoint Community Credit Union
• Oregon Charter Academy
• Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace
• Portland and Western Railroad
• RECS indoor pickleball
• Senft Legal
• Student Transportation of America
• Tualatin Police Department
• Tualatin Public Library
• Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue
• Window Nation

PUMPKINS AND PINTS

When: Saturday, October 17, 12:00-5:00 p.m.

Where: Stickmen Brewing Compan
19475 SW 118th Ave

Cost: Free admission

Kick off Regatta weekend at the annual Pumpkins and Pints event at Stickmen Brewing in Tualatin.

Watch the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers compete in the Terminator Weigh-Off, where massive pumpkins, gourds, and other vegetables take center stage. Stickmen’s craft beer and wood-fired pizza will be available for purchase to add to the celebration.

PUMPKIN REGATTA MEDALLION HUNT

In celebration of the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, the City of Tualatin is bringing you this year’s exciting Regatta Medallion Hunt! The series of clues will be revealed on the Regatta website and Facebook page that will lead you toward a hidden medallion. These clues, while not difficult, may require you to do a little homework.

The search will be for a 4-inch diameter bronze medallion engraved with the Regatta mascot. On the back of the medallion is information on how to redeem the medallion for a bounty of rewards! The person who finds and returns the medallion this year will win a Regatta prize package.

The medallion is hidden on public property. No digging, climbing, or tools are necessary to retrieve it. The medallion will be within 300 feet of the location of the last clue.

KIDS COSTUME CONTEST

Calling all young superheroes, pirates, princesses, and goblins! This year’s West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is excited to host its annual Kids Costume Contest. Children ages 11 and under are invited to join in the fun and show off their creative costumes on the main stage at 3:00 pm.

Registration is simple: just head over to the information booth to sign up. Be sure to sign up early, as there’s a limit of 25 contestants per age group. Whether you’re a spooky creature, a fairytale character, or something entirely unexpected, we can’t wait to see the creativity and imagination our participants bring to life with their costumes!