“Paddle Like a Pumpkin: Oregon’s

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🎃 What Are Pumpkin Boat Races?

In Oregon, people hollow out giant pumpkins, climb inside them, and paddle across water like they’re in canoes. Yes, like actual boats made of pumpkins. It’s a real thing.

These aren’t your average carving pumpkins. These are giant pumpkins—we’re talking 800 to over 1,000 pounds, grown specially for size, not for pie.

🛶 How Does It Work?

1. Grow the Pumpkin – It starts months in advance. Some people actually grow their own “boat” pumpkin just for racing.
2. Carve it Out – They hollow it out just enough to fit a person (and keep it floaty).
3. Hop In and Paddle – Racers climb inside like it’s a kayak. Most use a paddle or oar to steer.
4. Try Not to Tip Over – The balance is tricky. Some folks flip, some just spin in circles, but others make it across!

📍 Where in Oregon?

One of the most well-known events is the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, held in Tualatin, Oregon (a city near Portland). It usually happens in October, around Halloween time. It’s part of a bigger fall festival with food, costumes, and tons of quirky fun.

🎉 Why Do People Do This?

Honestly? For fun, for laughs, and for the challenge. It’s like Halloween meets summer camp meets absurd sports.

People show up in costumes (think pirates, superheroes, animals), there’s cheering crowds, and the whole vibe is just silly and festive. It’s also a great way to show off those monster pumpkins that can’t really be used for eating.

🤯 Fun Fact

• Some of these pumpkins float so well they could hold multiple people—but only one is allowed per race pumpkin.
• A few daredevils have even tried long-distance paddling in pumpkin boats (like crossing lakes).

So yeah—pumpkin boating is 100% real, weird, and wonderful.

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