Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

Have you ever seen a one-ton pumpkin? Have you ever heard of giant pumpkins being carved into canoes and raced across a lake? The 29th annual Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival will have all that and more!

Thousands of pumpkin enthusiasts flock to Elk Grove Park on the first full weekend in October to kick off the fall season. Hosted by the Cosumnes Community Services District, “Elk Grove GPF” is the region’s premier celebration of enormous gourds and all things pumpkin!

Since 1994, giant pumpkin growers from all over California and beyond have brought their precious produce to compete in the Giant Pumpkin & Produce Weigh-Off. Last year, pumpkin grower Jose Ceja won the title and a $7,000 cash prize with his 1,886.5-pound orange behemoth.

Throughout both days, there are hours of amusement for festival goers with carnival rides, inflatables, arts and crafts, vendors and food trucks, contests, a pumpkin patch, and more. Entertainers and musical acts will fill three stages throughout the weekend. Plus, some of the giant pumpkins from the Weigh-Off will be carved into boats and paddled across the lake in the Pumpkin Regatta!

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