The Shelburne waterfront was filled with spectators to watch the third annual Shelburne pumpkin regatta in 2024. ContributedArticle contentFall’s most celebrated gourds will be weighed, rowed, carved, decorated and raced derby-style at two events in Shelburne County in October.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 contentStarting things off is the annual Clark’s Harbour Giant Pumpkin and Squash Weigh-off scheduled for Oct. 5, beginning at 1 p.m. behind the town hall on Main Street.Article contentArticle contentThere will be adult and youth categories for the largest pumpkins and squash. The grower of this year’s first-place pumpkin will get a $500 cash prize. Tallest sunflowers and pretty field pumpkins will also be judged. Free bouncy castles, refreshments, cotton candy and snow cones will also be part of the fun.Article contentArticle content A 1,260-pound gourd grown by Craig Swim, Newellton, topped the competition at the annual giant pumpkin and squash weigh-in in Clark’s Harbour in 2024. Kathy JohnsonArticle contentShelburne’s historic waterfront Dock Street will be turned into a giant pumpkin patch on Oct. 11 for the fourth annual Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta. A full day of activities will be on tap, including the giant pumpkin weigh-off and the giant pumpkin regatta. New this year will be a pumpkin derby race.Article contentTo participate in the derby, people are asked to bring a pumpkin that will fit inside a 12″ x 12″ box to Anne Street for the 1 p.m. start. The pumpkin cannot be carved or have anything inside of it. Organizers will have the 12″ x 12″ boxes on site, complete with wheels. The participants will then race their pumpkins part of the way down Anne Street.Article content“There will be hay bales as a stop for them,” said Robin Smith, community development coordinator for the Municipality of Shelburne and a member of the Shelburne Events Committee.Article contentThe giant pumpkin weigh-in starts at 10 a.m. with a $1,000 cash prize up for grabs for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third. Giant squash will also be weighed, with a $250 prize for first place. The biggest field pumpkin and tallest sunflower will each get a $100 cash prize.Article contentArticle content A giant pumpkin is weighed during the Shelburne County Giant Pumpkin weigh-in in 2024. ContributedArticle contentThis year, the Bob Sinden Memorial First Time Grower Award will be presented for the first time.Article content“The Bob Sinden memorial award is a way to honour the many years that Bob gave to the festival, over 30 years,” said Smith. “We encourage anyone that has grown a pumpkin for the first time to enter, whether it’s a giant or a field pumpkin. If it’s your first time ever growing, you can enter.”Article contentThe festival headline event – the pumpkin regatta, where paddlers race in giant pumpkins in Shelburne Harbour along the waterfront – gets underway at 3 p.m.Article contentTo get in on the action, would-be pumpkin paddlers are invited to create a fun and creative video expressing their interest in participating in Nova Scotia’s Giant Pumpkin Regatta and why they should be selected to compete. The contest is open until midnight Sept. 29. Those selected to compete will be provided with a giant pumpkin and details for carving. Desired personalization can be arranged with event organizers upon winning.
Giant pumpkin time in Shelburne County with lots of fun events planned
