People fill the Shelburne waterfront to watch the action during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by ContributedArticle contentShelburne’s historic waterfront was a sea of people on Oct. 10 as thousands flocked to the South Shore town for the fifth annual Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“There were definitely larger crowds than last year. Cellphones weren’t even working for a while due to so many people being there and overloading the tower,” said Robin Smith, one of the members of the Shelburne Events Committee, which organizes the festivities.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“We were very pleased with this year’s events and happy with some of our new additions that we had, including the band on Friday evening and the Great Pumpkin Dash Run, which was full and had 100 participants,” said Smith.Article content“All the vendors were pleased, most sold-out, and the Guild Hall market was a great success as well. Our additions of the bleachers and the two Scott Family timber shows were all positive this year.”Article content Kate Latimer, from Aurora, Ont., celebrates after winning the amateur race during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by ContributedArticle content People check out the giant pumpkins ready to be raced during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle contentThe day started off with the Giant Pumpkin weigh-in where Craig Swim took top honours with a 1,510-pound pumpkin that also topped the scales at the Clark’s Harbour Giant Pumpkin weigh-in on Oct. 4. In second place was Frank Peterson (653 pounds) while Francis Campbell (640 lbs) finished third.Article contentTed Siegel had a 604-pound entry in the weigh-in, earning the Bob Sinden Memorial First-time Grower Award. Siegel also won the field pumpkin award with a 138-pound entry.Article contentArticle content“Ted attended our growing session last fall and took the plunge to learn how to grow them up in Ohio. He was successful in getting us two giants that were rowable,” said Smith.Article content Pumpkin carving was a popular activity at the fifth annual Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle content People take in the activities during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle content People walk among some of the food vendors at the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle contentArticle contentPumpkin carving, pumpkin paddling, children’s games, entertainment, and vendors filled the day until the grand finale – the pumpkin regatta.Article content Pumpkin paddlers in the returning rowers race head out on the course in Shelburne Harbour during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by ContributedArticle contentThere were two races this year – the returning rowers race with nine competitors, and the amateur rowers race with 13 competitors, who hailed from Ontario, Arizona, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, British Columbia, Halifax and other areas of Nova Scotia. The competitors were selected from video submissions received.Article contentThe Neily family from Paradise, Annapolis County, were once again at the top of podium in the returning rowers race this year, only this time son Parker placed first and dad Will was second. Hope Jillings from Bedford claimed third place, finishing just ahead of Katherine Neily. Neily Greenhouse and Gardens supply many of the giant pumpkins for the regatta.Article content The top-three finishers in the returning rowers race at the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10 were, from left, Will Neily, second Parker Neily, first; and Hope Jillings. Photo by ContributedArticle contentKate Latimer from Aurora, Ont., placed first in the amateur race. Second went to Mike Metcalfe from Liverpool/Shelburne representing AC Belliveau Veinotte, which was one of the event sponsors. Third place went to Joey Jarvenpaa from Halifax.Article content The amateur rower race took place during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. The top-three finishers, from left, are Joey Jarvenpaa from Halifax, Kate Latimer from Aurora, Ont.; and Mike Metcalfe from Liverpool/Shelburne. Photo by ContributedArticle content People walk along historic Dock Street in Shelburne during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta on Oct. 10. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle content People walk along historic Dock Street in Shelburne with tiny pumpkins in hand during the fifth annual Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta on Oct. 10. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle content Volunteers help a youngster try paddling a pumpkin during the fifth annual Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle content The Tiny Turnip Festival greeter Nippy, aka Mickayla Peters, walks down the path from the Ross-Thomson House garden to Dock Street during the Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta in Shelburne on Oct. 10. Organized by the Shelburne Historical Society, the Tiny Turnip Festival included the creation of turnip-inspired crafts, playing turnip hole, and eating turnip and molasses cookies. Photo by Kathy Johnson /Tri-County VanguardArticle content
Record turnout for giant pumpkin festival and regatta in Shelburne
