Giant Pumpkins Take Center Stage at Oregon’s Quirky Annual Regatta

In the picturesque Portland suburb of Tualatin, Oregon, an unusual autumn tradition has been making waves for over two decades. The 21st annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta recently brought together hundreds of spectators to witness an extraordinary spectacle: competitive racers paddling across a small lake in hollowed-out giant pumpkins. Since 2004, this whimsical event has transformed massive gourds into seaworthy vessels, creating a quintessentially Pacific Northwest fall celebration that combines gardening expertise, engineering ingenuity, and Halloween spirit. The sight of costumed competitors struggling to navigate their orange watercraft has become a beloved regional tradition that perfectly captures the playful essence of the season.

The logistics of preparing these colossal pumpkins for aquatic adventures is no small feat. Many of the pumpkins weigh well over 1,000 pounds, requiring forklifts to carefully lower them into the water. Once positioned, competitors wield saws and knives to carve out the interiors, transforming the massive vegetables into makeshift boats. There’s strategy involved in this preparation—the more pulp and seeds removed, the lighter and more maneuverable the pumpkin becomes in the water. By the time all participants finish their carving, enough discarded pumpkin innards accumulate to fill an entire dumpster. This careful balance between maintaining structural integrity and reducing weight demonstrates the surprising technical considerations that go into what appears, at first glance, to be simply a silly seasonal activity.

Among the colorful characters at this year’s regatta was Gary Kristensen, who paddled to victory in the first race while dressed as Buddy the Elf from the popular Christmas movie. Seated in his 936-pound pumpkin boat and wielding a kayak paddle, Kristensen triumphantly raised his arms to the cheering crowds after crossing the finish line. As a veteran participant since 2013, Kristensen has developed a genuine passion for this unusual sport. “You’ve got an exciting activity that crowds love, you’ve got the costumes, cheering people, spectacle, pumpkins sinking, it has everything,” he explained, capturing the multi-faceted appeal that draws spectators and participants alike. The combination of athletic challenge, visual humor, and the ever-present possibility of a pumpkin dramatically sinking creates a uniquely entertaining atmosphere that traditional boat races simply cannot match.

For Kristensen, pumpkin boating has evolved from a quirky autumn activity into what he describes as “kind of an addiction.” His dedication to the craft extends far beyond the annual regatta—in May, he set a Guinness World Record by paddling a pumpkin boat just over 58 miles, breaking his own previous record. This achievement demonstrates that beneath the surface of this whimsical event lies genuine athletic endurance and technical skill. Other participants share similar levels of commitment, including Brad Bahns, who competed in his fourth regatta dressed as a character from “Squid Game.” Bahns’ dedication is particularly impressive considering he personally grew his massive 1,376-pound pumpkin over six months. “Getting to culminate the season by putting it in the lake and paddling with our friends” makes the extensive cultivation process worthwhile, according to Bahns, highlighting the community bonds formed through this unusual shared interest.

The creation of these record-breaking pumpkins requires specialized knowledge and significant effort. Kristensen summarizes the formula for growing these giants succinctly as “Good seeds, good soil, good luck, hard work.” This seemingly simple statement belies the months of careful attention, selective breeding, and horticultural expertise required to produce vegetables of such extraordinary size. The Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers association supports the regatta by cultivating these massive pumpkins throughout the year, representing a community of dedicated gardeners who have turned growing oversized produce into both an art and a science. Their specialized knowledge creates the foundation upon which this unique sporting event is built, connecting traditional agricultural practices with contemporary entertainment in a way that celebrates both innovation and tradition.

Beyond its surface-level novelty, the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta has established itself as a meaningful seasonal tradition that brings together diverse elements of Oregon culture. It celebrates agricultural achievement through the massive pumpkins themselves, showcases the quirky creativity the Pacific Northwest is known for, and creates a community gathering point as summer transitions to fall. The event transcends mere spectacle, offering participants the opportunity to literally immerse themselves in the seasonal harvest while spectators enjoy the perfect backdrop for autumn memories and photographs. In a world increasingly dominated by digital entertainment, there’s something refreshingly tangible about watching grown adults paddle across a lake in hollowed-out vegetables while dressed in Halloween costumes. The regatta reminds us that some of the most meaningful traditions are those that embrace whimsy, celebrate nature’s bounty, and bring communities together through shared laughter and friendly competition.