Members of the new Pumpkinfest Executive Board, from left, Pier Donnini, Treasurer; Dave Mensher, Vice President; Doug Court, Growers Committee; Brad Scott, President; Joanne Robbins, Pumpkinfest Coordinator; and Connie Barker, Secretary. Photo submitted

Hub Staff

Port Elgin's award winning Pumpkinfest has officially become a registered non profit. “It's taken some time but as of November 14 we're officially a not for profit corporation,” said Pumpkinfest Coordinator Joanne Robbins. “All on our own, a stand alone I guess you'd call it.”

The annual fall festival returned to its roots in 2016 when the Pumpkinfest Village relocated from the grounds of Saugeen District Secondary School to its original location in downtown Port Elgin, eliminating the separation between the village and the festival's ever-popular Cinderella Classic Car Show.

Last year the Chamber of Commerce announced that Pumpkinfest would no longer operate under the Chamber's umbrella of events. 

“The Chamber board, after consideration and an organizational review, requested that Pumpkinfest become its own separate entity,” said Robbins adding that the Pumpkinfest team was in accord with the request and that it had had chamber support through the transition. “After 31 years it's time to put on our big boy pants and leave home,” she said.

Robbins said that it was a great move for the festival. “The volunteer Pumpkinfest board now has more control and ownership of the event,” she said. “We're an official non profit corporation and we can reap the benefits of that status because being non profit allows for more granting opportunities.”

Robbins, who was the General Manager of the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce announced her new role as Pumpkinfest Coordinator last year. “It came at a perfect time for me as I was considering retirement and succession planning within the Chamber," she said. “When the opportunity to semi retire into the Pumpkinfest organizing position came along it was a kind of blessing in disguise for me and of course everyone knows I love and believe in the festival.”

In an economic impact report generated by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Port Elgin Pumpkinfest 2018 boasts some impressive stats with total visitor spending at $2.6 million. “We figured 30,000 people attended [in 2018] but there's no way to really judge how many were at the car show," explained Robbins. "We're just going by the gate and entries and a guesstimate,” she said, adding that there were approximately 1,200 vehicles at the Cinderella Classic Car Show.

In addition to benefits to local business, Robbins explained that other non profits also benefited greatly from the festival. “I don't think a lot of people realize that 34 local non profits use Pumpkinfest as one of their main fundraisers for the year,” she said. “Whether it's a paid contract like the figure skating club doing the gate or like the United Church doing a harvest dinner that compliments the event," she said.

Robbins added that Pumpkinfest pays out approximately $10,000 in contracts. “Such as the rugby club, the figure skating club, Iota Phi," she said. "Whereas others like the United Church and the Legion give us 15 percent back after expenses so that we can pay these other ones,” Robbins explained.

"It's a balance but with that balance it's actually a model that I'm not sure a lot of festivals use," she said.

Money made by the annual festival goes back into the community, said Robbins. “That's always been our mission. It's never been our objective to make money," she said.

Robbins said that relocating the village to downtown Port Elgin was a good decision, adding that they've received nothing but positive feedback. "One really neat point I got was from families with strollers and accessibility, they can now get to it,” she said and added that Pumpkinfest also has an accessible bus that can be called to any of the shuttle sites.

In 2018 the festival saw three new activities, all of which were successful, said Robbins. The agricultural area, the kids pyjama party and the Practically Hip concert would all be returning for Pumpkinfest 2019 which is set for October 5 and 6.

“I'd love to involve the tweens more," added Robbins who said that age group was the largest in terms of volunteers. "We'd like to have something more for them,” said Robbins. “We are going to attend Festival & Events Ontario and see what's out there, what's new and exciting, what other festivals are doing and what's working," she said.

Residents are encouraged to join the Pumpkinfest team. "We had our first election but we've only elected the executive,” said Robbins explaining that they were looking for committee chairpersons or just people who have a particular interest or skill such as fork lift drivers. "Maybe you don't want to come to meetings but you'd love to be back there moving the pumpkins for us," she suggested.

Ideas are also wanted, said Robbins. “The public are absolutely welcome to put forward ideas," she said.

For anyone interested in joining the Pumpkinfest team or would like to submit an idea contact Joanne Robbins at 519-389-3714 or pumpkinfestpe@gmail.com.