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Pumpkin Festivals


Picture of Pumpkins

The tradition of carving and illuminating a pumpkin began with Irish immigrants to America during the mid-19th century. Although in Ireland, turnips were used as Jack-o-lanterns, the immigrants adapted the practice to include pumpkins, which are native to the New World.

Pumpkin Festivals in North America have been held for at least 100 years, and they feature many fun pumpkin-oriented events and contests, including carving contests, baking contests, and pumpkin weigh-offs.

The California town of Half Moon Bay holds the largest pumpkin weigh-off in the world, with several pumpkins surpassing the 1,000 pound mark. The prizes are as big as the gourds, since the winner gets 5 dollars per pound.

Keene, New Hampshire is best known for the quantity of their pumpkins rather than the size. They broke the world record for the most jack-o-lanterns in one place with 28,952 shining simultaneosly in 2003.

In Delaware, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin focuses on hurling pumpkins with an ingenious variety of devices ranging from compressed air cannons to catapults. The pumpkins can travel remarkable distances, sometimes nearly a mile.

Below is a listing of Pumpkin Festival in North America. Click on name of any city to visit a Website about the event. If you plan to attend an event, please check with the event's sponsor in advance in case of error, date change or cancellation.

Canada

USA



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