Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Vendor Coordinator Connie Barker (left) and Pumpkinfest Coordinator Joanne Robbins both remarked on the success of the 32nd annual Port Elgin Pumpkinfest.
Hub Staff
Thousands upon thousands of visitors descended on downtown Port Elgin for the 32nd annual Pumpkinfest festival September 29 and 30.
The event kicked off with opening ceremonies that saw the Chantry Singers sing 'O Canada' followed by the ever-popular seed spitting contest featuring several local celebrities and dignitaries. Georgian Bluffs Mayor Al Barfoot won the contest with a new Pumpkinfest record distance of 31' 3”, breaking the previous record by 1'1”.
Master of Ceremonies Dave Middleton, Pumpkinfest Chairman Brad Scott and Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith welcomed everyone to the two day event, thanking sponsors and volunteers. “These events don't happen without a whole lot of hard work,” said Mayor Smith. "It takes a whole year to plan this and a whole bunch of volunteers and sponsors who continually step up and make this weekend a success," he added.
For the second year in a row and for the fifth time at the Port Elgin event, the winners of this year's giant pumpkin were Jim and Kelsey Bryson from Ormstown, Quebec. The winning pumpkin weighed in at 1871.5 lbs, just 5.5lbs away from the Canadian record. The father and daughter team also won the biggest sunflower face at 22”.
Jim Bryson said that they had attended Pumpkinfest five times and had won five times. “We won three years in a row and then we had a really bad spell for about four or five years where we just couldn't get anything to go but now we're coming back again,” said Bryson, adding that the warm summer this year had had its pros and cons in the world of pumpkin growing. “The warm nights helped a lot but the heat's not good during the day. It's really hard on the plants but it still turned out ok," he said.
Sunday's tri-county winning Pumpkin, grown by Tiverton's Elaine MacKenzie weighed in at 1251.5 lbs with other local residents winning a variety of categories both days.
Port Elgin's Doug Court broke the Canadian record on Saturday with a 223 lb bushel gourd, only for it to be broken again the following day by Georgetown's John Nieuwenhoff with a weight of 236 lbs.
Dennis Hartung of Palmerston also broke a Canadian record with his 18.51 lb cucumber in the 2018 Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario Special Category.
In addition to the vegetables, Pumpkinfest saw a whole array of family activities, shows, and vendors over the weekend with thousands of people strolling up and down Goderich Street to view the hundreds of vehicles on display in weekend favourites Cinderella's Carriage Car Show, Corvette Corral and the Motorcycle Show and Shine.
Vendor Coordinator Connie Barker gave praise to all the volunteers. “How grateful we are this year for our seasoned volunteers to have come back,” said Barker, adding that new attractions to this year's festival had been a huge success including the Brokerlink Agricultural Tent, the Pajama Party with Tim the Puppet Tamer and the Practically Hip Tragically Hip tribute concert Saturday evening.
“It was a knockout. It was so well received,” said Barker. “We sold out. It's definitely coming back next year," she said.
Although it will be several days before final numbers are tallied, Pumpkinfest Coordinator Joanne Robbins said that it was a good weekend. “It looks as good as last year or better and last year was a great year for us,” said Robbins.
Georgian Bluffs Mayor Al Barfoot posed with his grandchildren after winning the Seed Spitting Contest at Port Elgin Pumpkinfest and setting a new Pumpkinfest record at 31' 3", 1' 1" than the previous record.
The Dark Knight, Brampton Batman had travelled to Port Elgin Pumpkinfest in his Batmobile to meet and talk with his many adoring fans.
Locals and visitors to Port Elgin were met with no shortgae of classic and antique vehicles to look at September 29 and 30.
Pumpkin carver Adam Martin was busy September 30 carving a design in this giant pumpkin. His previous day's work on display next to him for visitors to admire.
Le Petit Chef (aka Tim Holland) was out wandering around and meeting visitors to the the Pumpkinfest village.
The Saugeen Shores Fire Department hosted a Junior Firefighter event where children made their way through an obstacle course similar to the adult FireFit competition. Fire Chief Phil Eagleson (right) is seen here guiding kids through the course.
There was no shortage of fun for children young and old at the midway.
Patches and Sprout were out greeting visitors to Port Elgin Pumpkinfest.
The Port Elgin Rotary Club and Port Elgin Interact Club were selling pumpkin pie from Southampton's Offshore Bakery with funds raised going in support of local schools, breakfast programs and local food banks. From left, Melinda Myette, Fred Schildroth, Doug Gowanlock and Dan Murawsky.
There were plenty of pumpkins in the Bruce Power Growers' Tent at the 32nd annual Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
Tim the Puppet Tamer was one of several acts entertaining young and old in the Bruce Telecom Entertainment Tent.
Smokey and the Bandit had settled their differences and came together at Cinderella's Carriage Car Show. From left, Buford T. Justice (aka Ray Price), Junior (aka Clayton Price) and Bandit (aka Bob Heitmann).
Port Elgin's Doug Court with Sunday's winning squash weighing in at 1005.5 lbs.
Pumpkinfest Chairman Brad Scott was busy manoeuvering the larger vegetables from growers' vehicles.
Over 200 Pumpkinfest volunteers were busy for the annual festival September 29 and 30.
Winning pumpkins were on display for visitors to view and take photographs. Front is Jim and Kelsey Bryson's 1871.5 lb winning pumpkin with John Matesa's 1855 lb second place pumpkin behind.
Dinosaurs were spotted in downtown Port Elgin September 29 but 6 year old Thomas showed he wasn't scared as he gave an eager high five.
There were plenty of bikes on display for motorcycle enthusiasts at the Motorcycle Show and Shine, presented by the Grey-Bruce Motorcycle Touring Club.
Thousands of people strolled down Goderich Street in Port Elgin viewing the hundreds of vehicles on display.
See also: Anticipation and success in the Bruce Power Growers' Tent
