Each year, typically before Halloween, the Tualatin Rotary Club hosts an exciting event, attracting thousands of spectators and competitors: the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta!  This year, on Oct. 20, fans gathered around the Tualatin Commons Lake to witness the pumpkin madness. 

Since 2004, the Pumpkin Regatta has grown into an event with widespread recognition that annually returns to the Tualatin Commons with a series of races. Competitors dress up in wacky costumes and hop in their colossal pumpkins, paddling through a watercourse on the Tualatin Commons Lake. 

In addition to the pumpkin kayaking, Tualatin hosts the Regatta Run – a 5K race – that kicks off in the morning at Tualatin Community Park. After the pumpkin races, Tualatin High’s band students performed in the Commons, right before the Regatta Run.

But that’s not all! There were numerous activities and contests, as well, including Pumpkin Bowling, Pumpkin Golf, Pumpkin Decorating and even a Giant Pumpkin Selfie Station. 

Tualatin High senior Jackson Lowery shared his thoughts on this exciting event. 

“It was really fun, and it’s a great event for people to gather and meet people. There’s food carts and kids dressed up in costumes, and it has a really great atmosphere.”

Lowery also mentioned a surprising occurrence during the race.

“One interesting thing that happened was, during the pumpkin kayak race, one team struggled to keep their pumpkin afloat before eventually falling into the water.”

If you missed this year’s Pumpkin Regatta, don’t worry! Tualatin will be back next October with another fantastic event, so mark your calendars – you won’t want to miss it!