Record turnout for giant pumpkin festival and regatta in Shelburne

Shelburne’s historic waterfront was a sea of people on Oct. 10 as thousands flocked to the South Shore town for the fifth annual Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta.

“There were definitely larger crowds than last year. Cellphones weren’t even working for a while due to so many people being there and overloading the tower,” said Robin Smith, one of the members of the Shelburne Events Committee, which organizes the festivities.

“We were very pleased with this year’s events and happy with some of our new additions that we had, including the band on Friday evening and the Great Pumpkin Dash Run, which was full and had 100 participants,” said Smith.

“All the vendors were pleased, most sold-out, and the Guild Hall market was a great success as well. Our additions of the bleachers and the two Scott Family timber shows were all positive this year.”

The day started off with the Giant Pumpkin weigh-in where Craig Swim took top honours with a 1,510-pound pumpkin that also topped the scales at the Clark’s Harbour Giant Pumpkin weigh-in on Oct. 4. In second place was Frank Peterson (653 pounds) while Francis Campbell (640 lbs) finished third.

Ted Siegel had a 604-pound entry in the weigh-in, earning the Bob Sinden Memorial First-time Grower Award. Siegel also won the field pumpkin award with a 138-pound entry.

“Ted attended our growing session last fall and took the plunge to learn how to grow them up in Ohio. He was successful in getting us two giants that were rowable,” said Smith.

Pumpkin carving, pumpkin paddling, children’s games, entertainment, and vendors filled the day until the grand finale – the pumpkin regatta.

There were two races this year – the returning rowers race with nine competitors, and the amateur rowers race with 13 competitors, who hailed from Ontario, Arizona, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, British Columbia, Halifax and other areas of Nova Scotia. The competitors were selected from video submissions received.

The Neily family from Paradise, Annapolis County, were once again at the top of podium in the returning rowers race this year, only this time son Parker placed first and dad Will was second. Hope Jillings from Bedford claimed third place, finishing just ahead of Katherine Neily. Neily Greenhouse and Gardens supply many of the giant pumpkins for the regatta.

Kate Latimer from Aurora, Ont., placed first in the amateur race. Second went to Mike Metcalfe from Liverpool/Shelburne representing AC Belliveau Veinotte, which was one of the event sponsors. Third place went to Joey Jarvenpaa from Halifax.