Imagine telling your kids that you’re taking them to watch grown adults climb into pumpkins and race across a lake. They’d probably think you were making it up. Or they’d immediately ask whether they could have a pumpkin boat, too.
Well, this is Oregon, where apparently a perfectly good giant pumpkin isn’t always destined to become a jack-o’-lantern. Sometimes, it’s a boat.
On Sunday, October 18, the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta returns to Tualatin Commons, bringing one of the Pacific Northwest’s most wonderfully ridiculous fall traditions back to the water. And yes, it’s completely free to watch.
Wait, People Actually Race Pumpkins?
They sure do. Competitors climb into enormous, hollowed-out pumpkins and attempt to paddle them across the lake while wearing costumes.
If you’re wondering how a pumpkin can float with a person sitting inside it, that’s a reasonable question. The short answer is buoyancy, but I suspect most kids will be more interested in whether someone falls into the water.
The regatta has run since 2004, drawing competitors and spectators who appreciate the fine art of turning oversized vegetables into questionable watercraft. The pumpkins come from growers associated with the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers, which means we’re talking about some seriously impressive produce.
The races take place at noon and 2 p.m., giving families two opportunities to watch the action. And considering that pumpkins weren’t exactly designed with steering wheels or streamlined hulls, I wouldn’t expect every race to go perfectly.
That’s probably half the fun.
There’s More Than Pumpkin Racing
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. so that families can make an entire afternoon of it.
Beyond the races, the city has planned entertainment, food, pumpkin bowling, and pumpkin golf. If you’ve ever wanted to see whether your child bowls better with a pumpkin than with a real bowling ball, here’s your chance.
The event takes place at Tualatin Commons, 8325 SW Nyberg Street, right in the heart of Tualatin. The lake provides a great setting for the races, and the surrounding area gives families room to enjoy the festivities.
Admission is free, which deserves its own little celebration. Fall outings can get expensive surprisingly quickly, especially when multiple children suddenly need cider, donuts, snacks, and souvenirs.
At least this time, the main attraction won’t cost anything.
A Few Tips Before You Go
If watching the pumpkin races is your main goal, I’d plan to arrive before noon. That gives you time to get settled, explore a bit, and find a good viewing spot before the first race.
I’d also dress for Oregon’s October weather. Layers are a good idea, and comfortable shoes will make the afternoon easier, especially if your family plans to stay for both races.
For younger children, this seems like a particularly fun outing because the entertainment is so visual. They don’t need to understand the rules, know anything about competitive paddling, or even appreciate the remarkable agricultural achievement of growing a pumpkin large enough to hold a person.
They need to see somebody floating around in a giant vegetable.
For older kids, there’s an unexpected science lesson hiding in all this silliness. You can talk about why boats float, how weight affects balance, and what happens when a pumpkin-shaped vessel meets the laws of physics.
Or you can enjoy the spectacle. Not every family outing needs to become a classroom assignment.
This Is Exactly the Kind of Weird Oregon Tradition I Love
One thing I appreciate about raising kids in Oregon is that our communities have a talent for celebrating things that probably wouldn’t make sense anywhere else.
We have festivals devoted to berries, enormous pumpkins, and just about every other crop imaginable. But there’s something particularly entertaining about a community that looks at a giant pumpkin and decides the logical next step is to put somebody inside it and send it across a lake.
And that’s what makes the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta such a fun family tradition. It’s silly, creative, and a complete departure from the usual fall activities.
If you’re looking for something memorable to do with the kids next weekend, add this to your calendar.
Just don’t be surprised if somebody asks whether you can grow a pumpkin boat in the backyard next year.
Event Details
The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta takes place Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tualatin Commons, 8325 SW Nyberg Street, Tualatin. Pumpkin races begin at noon and 2 p.m., and admission is free.
For additional information, visit the City of Tualatin’s official event page.
Tiffany Wilson is a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom from Tigard, Oregon, raising three kids—Sophie, Noah, and Riley. She’s a warm, hands-on parent who mixes daily routines with creative fun, whether it’s a backyard scavenger hunt or building a blanket fort in the living room.