The Giant Pumpkins Return to Tualatin!

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Photo/Evan Marx
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Autumn is upon us, and that means one thing—it’s almost time for the highly anticipated West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta! This quirky, beloved event, organized by the City of Tualatin Parks and Recreation Department, has become the must-see spectacle in the Northwest. Last year, over 15,000 people gathered to witness the sight of costumed racers paddling 1,000-pound pumpkin boats in a series of wacky races. 

Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 20! The festivities kick off at Tualatin Community Park with the 5K Regatta Run/Walk. Then, at 10:00 a.m., the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta festival begins at the Lake of the Commons with the Tualatin High School marching band. The day promises loads of family-friendly activities, including pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, pumpkin checkers, costume contests, pumpkin crafts, and a delicious assortment of food trucks and tasty treats.

Spectators will have the opportunity to catch the races at two different times! At noon, watch the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers race, followed by the Regatta sponsors. At 2 p.m., Tualatin Police, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, and paddlers selected from the Pumpkin Paddling Quest battle it out in three more races.

Visit the City’s website for a complete list of activities, information on parking, the Pumpkin Shuttle, and the bike valet at TualatinOregon.Gov/PumpkinRegatta. Admission is free, and so are most activities!

The fun doesn’t stop there—kick off the weekend on Saturday, October 19 with Pumpkins and Pints at Stickmen Brewery 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 on hand to add to the celebration.

This year’s Pumpkin Regatta is made possible thanks to the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers and generous sponsors. This year, we welcome Island sponsor Toyota. Sasquash sponsors include AAA Oregon, A&R Solar, Explore Tualatin Valley, Far West Recycling, Leafguard, OnPoint Community Credit Union, and Portland & Western Railroad. Gourdzilla Sponsors include Cabela’s, Empower Speech Therapy, Gameday Men’s Heath, IBEX Roof, Jamba Juice, New Seasons Market, Renewal by Andersen, Rivermark Community Credit Union, and Stickmen Brewing Company. Community and In-Kind sponsors include Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe, Grimms Fuel, Impact Action Sports, NW Natural, Student Transportation of America, Tualatin Island Greens, Lee Farms, and The Garden Corner.

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, clown shows, 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

10:00 am Welcome and Sponsor Recognition

10:15 am Tualatin High School Marching Band Pep Rally

11:00 am Mz Pearl Variety Show

12:00 pm Pumpkin Races 1 & 2

1:00 pm Mz Pearl Variety Show

2:00 pm Pumpkin Races 3, 4, & 5

3:00 pm Kids’ Costume Contest

4:00 pm Event Closes

Pumpkin Races

The pumpkin races will be at 12 pm and 2 pm

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 These races are for the people 

and Five – who were selected from the online paddling quest.

Getting there:

The Pumpkin Shuttle is back! Park in one of the many lots along the route and hop on the Pumpkin Shuttle, which takes you to the main entrance of the event. Parking is available at Kaiser Permanente, Bellagio’s Pizza, The Oregon Clinic, and Hedges Green Shopping Center.

Please respect the no parking signs and our neighbors that are open for business that day.

ADA parking is available at 8460 SW Nyberg Street on the west side of the lake.

Bike Valet – guests are encouraged to ride their bikes to the Regatta and check their bikes at the free Bike Valet.

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 DecoratingSponsored by Tualatin Together
  • Kids’ Costume Contest – Sign-up begins at 10:00 am at the Information Tent. Limit of 25 kids per age group.
  • Clown extraordinaire Heather Pearl will be back to entertain the crowd with Mz. Pearl’s Variety Show
  • Zombie Shoot OutSponsored by Impact Action Sports
  • Face Painting
  • Craft TentSponsored by the Tualatin Library
  • 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!
  • Giant Coloring Mural

Food and Artisan Vendors/Sponsor Booths

FOOD VENDORS

Visit the all-new food court located at 84th and Nyberg St. Look for the bright-colored balloon towers at the entrance!

Food Court

  • Bondi Bowls – Smoothie bowls and shave ice
  • Cousins Maine Lobster – Lobster Rolls and Tacos, Shrimp Tacos and Tots
  • So Cheesy – Gourmet Grilled Cheese and Mac and Cheese
  • Stoopid Burger – Burgers and fries, kids meals
  • The Chop Spot – Chicken Sundaes
  • Qualiserve – Philly Cheesesteak Elephant Ears, Garlic Fries, Lemonade
  • RB Wok and Grill – Teriyaki chicken, Veggie stir-fry, Noodles
  • Westside Pizza House – Pizza

Tasty Treats Around the Lake

  • Arrow Coffee and Desserts
  • Lee Farms
  • Miss Hannah’s Popcorn
  • Pacific NW Kettle Corn
  • Pilgrim’s Roasted Nut’Z
  • Vendors Are We
  • Vertical Grounds Coffee

Restaurants around the Lake of the Commons

  • Brix Tavern
  • Doja Tea Lounge
  • El Juan Colorado
  • G Man Sports Bar
  • Izumi
  • Lee’s Kitchen
  • Rosie’s Kitchen
  • Roxy’s Island Grill

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. Tim will also be offering a Make Your Own Pumpkin Experience in his mobile glass-blowing truck. Schedule your appointment ahead of time by visiting his website at www.leftysglass.com. Space is limited.
  • BBNW Candles– Fan favorite BBNW Candles will be selling their amazing fall candles.
  • Glass Girl Studio– Glass Girl Charity Stewart will be on the plaza with her nature-inspired fused glass art. Stop by her booth at the Regatta or visit her studio in Newberg!
  • Rosco & Co– Rosco & Co will be back with their adorable knit pumpkins, head wraps, beanies, and coffee cozies.
  • The Bear Crafter– Roy McGill, The Bear Crafter, will be on the plaza selling his felt and wool ornaments, blown glass, and pottery.

SPONSOR 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 
  • A&R Solar
  • AAA Oregon/Idaho
  • Cabela’s
  • City of Tualatin
  • Empower Speech Therapy
  • Far West Recycling
  • Gameday Men’s Health
  • Leafguard
  • IBEX Roof
  • New Seasons Market 
  • OnPoint Community Credit Union
  • Portland and Western Railroad
  • Renewal by Andersen
  • Rivermark Community Credit Union
  • State Farm
  • Stickmen Brewing Company
  • Student Transportation of America
  • The Garden Corner
  • Tualatin Public Library
  • Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue

PUMPKINS & PINTS

When: Saturday, October 19,
Noon – 5 p.m.
Location: Stickmen Brewing Company –
19475 SW 118th Ave.
Cost: Free

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.

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!

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