Paddling To Success

How a small town in Oregon created a world-famous festival

By Heidi Marx
Photos: Eric Hermann

Parks and recreation professionals know that a successful event can have far-reaching benefits for the community. Special events help establish a strong identity, foster a sense of pride, help us connect with residents through involvement, and attract visitors to an area, bringing positive economic and social impacts.

The Tualatin West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, held in a suburb of Portland Ore., is an example of how one small town created a unique festival experience that brought global visitors and attention. How did this small event that started with a few pumpkins become one of National Geographic’s “7 Best Fall Festivals in the United States” in 15 years? There are six golden rules the Tualatin Parks and Recreation team followed that took this event from just 100 spectators to over 20,000! 

Know The Power Of Yes

When the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers approached the city in 2004 requesting to use its little lake to host a pumpkin paddle, it would have been easy to say no. There were many obstacles to overcome—from how to get 1,000-pound pumpkins in and out of the water without breaking them or damaging any of the hardscape around the lake to paddler safety. The growers could have found another location, and another town would be known for the pumpkin-paddling event. Tualatin said “yes” and the rest is history. Always approach new ideas with an open mind and try to find a way to say “yes.”

Stay On Theme

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is all about pumpkins. It hosts pumpkin pie-eating contests, pumpkin golf, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin checkers, and pumpkin tic-tac-toe. Even the food vendors prepare a fall/harvest-themed menu. Sponsors are required to have an activity or sustainable giveaway and are encouraged to decorate their booths in a fall theme. From the moment that guests step off the “Pumpkin Express” shuttle bus, they are greeted by a fall wonderland that includes hay bales, corn stalks, a giant pumpkin display, and a mini-pumpkin patch.

Recognize That Partners Are Assets

The Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers, a club consisting of vegetable enthusiasts, is the reason the Pumpkin Regatta is even possible. It takes a huge commitment of more than 20 growers from all over the Northwest and Canada to grow a pumpkin that weighs between 700 and 2,500 pounds. The growers spend an incredible amount of time and their vast knowledge to grow the giant pumpkins, and then they have to transport them safely to Tualatin. The growers also carve the pumpkins into boats and stand in the water to help paddlers get in and out of the pumpkins between races.

The city does everything it can to make the experience positive for the growers and their families. During the event, they are treated like VIPs. A catered lunch is brought into a special tent area, while free merchandise and reserved parking add to their experience. Most importantly, we let the growers know how much they are appreciated and that the regatta is all about their incredible accomplishment in growing giant pumpkins.

The parks and recreation department is not the only city department involved. Public works, police, and volunteer services all play an important role in the festival’s success. They are all included in the planning process so we can draw on their expertise and experience. Involving other departments also fosters ownership and pride in the event. Employees who are engaged are more likely to work diligently and make suggestions to improve the event.

The Pumpkin Regatta is a free community event, thanks, in part, to the sponsors. Companies are honored to have their name associated with this unique, family-friendly event. The regatta crew helps sponsors create an interactive activity or giveaway that will encourage visitors to stop and chat. Not only does this add value to the event but sponsors have a better experience connecting with the community. Doing this has resulted in over 90 percent of sponsors returning each year.

Build A Brand

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta has become as well known for its art as for the pumpkin races. For the past 10 years, Tualatin artist Brenna White has designed original pieces for the promotional poster. The poster has a new theme each year, but retains the same stylistic elements, such as the iconic wave-inspired railing that encircles the lake, and, of course, a fun character paddling a pumpkin. Regatta fans look forward to the release of the new poster each year. The poster art is also used to create T-shirts, coloring books, pint glasses, stickers, and more.

Don’t Forget The “Wow” Factor

The costumed characters racing giant pumpkins on the lake is the main attraction of the regatta, but it is the overall experience that makes it so memorable. Everywhere visitors look they are greeted by an activity or entertainment. Upon entering the festival grounds, they pass one of the largest hanging baskets in the world filled with fall foliage. As visitors work their way around the lake, they find giant custom photo stand-ins, 1,500-pound pumpkins with which kids can get their picture taken, dancing witches, stilt walkers, jugglers, llamas, and craft tents—all while enjoying the smell of roasted nuts and kettle corn. Guests will also find hidden surprises, such as pirate skeletons doing funny things. Making sure that guests find surprises in every corner of the event and that all of their senses are engaged creates an experience families will talk about for years to come.

Choose Experiences Over Things

Today’s audiences prefer participating to observing. Being active makes them feel more connected to their community and the world. By sharing these experiences on social media, they help shape their identity and deepen their connections with friends. Visitors can color a giant mural, paint a pumpkin, get their face painted, play checkers with little pumpkins, or knock down bowling pins with … a pumpkin. As they wait for a turn at pumpkin golf, they can join the dancing witches around the lake, low-five a stilt walker, or feed a costumed therapy-llama a carrot.

Even the pumpkin races are open to the public. Because of their popularity, a lottery is held the month before for individuals to win a chance to paddle. Paddlers from as far away as New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and throughout the U.S. have entered and been selected to participate.

These six golden rules can translate to an event of any size. The Tualatin West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta shows the best of what Oregon and its residents have to offer by creating an experience that is unique. Portland is affectionately known as being “weird,” and Pumpkin Regatta is a great example of how wonderful “weird” can be.

Heidi Marx is the Event Coordinator for the city of Tualatin in Oregon. Reach her at HMarx@tualatin.gov.