Dave McQuay of Delhi, Ontario stands with his family as he was awarded the prize for this year's heaviest pumpkin October 1, weighing in at 1888.5 pounds.
Hub Staff
Another Pumpkinfest has come and gone and the winning pumpkin, hailing all the way from Delhi, Ontario and owner Dave McQuay, weighed in at a whopping 1888.5 pounds.
The winning squash, from grower St Thomas, Ontario's John Butler, came in at 1335.5 pounds. Butler also took the title for the longest long gourd, the largest tomato, and the tallest cornstalk.
Pumpkinfest 2022 also saw a new North American record for the tallest sunflower as Butler's measured in at 332.5 inches.
The festival kicked off at a cool 7 degrees Celsius on Saturday, October 1. By Saturday afternoon, the sun was out and the mercury had risen to a much warmer 21 degrees. Sunday was a bit cooler and more overcast but still unseasonably warm.
Husband and wife duo Dave Middleton and Robin Woods shared the Master of Ceremony duties in the Growers' Tent. The Chantry Singers sang the National Anthem and welcoming remarks were made by Pumpkinfest President John Miller, MP Ben Lobb, MPP Lisa Thompson and Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau.
“I really want to recognize all of the volunteers, all of the service clubs, all of the incredible people or everybody who makes this event possible every year,” said Charbonneau, encouraging everyone to not only experience all the festival has to offer but to also explore Southampton and the rest of Saugeen Shores, “the most gorgeous place in all of Southwestern Ontario.”
Organizers chose to forego the celebrity seed spitting contest this year, for risk of COVID, and instead participants shot their seeds at a target using a slingshot.
Saugeen Ward Councillor Dave Myette shot the winning shot.
Downtown Port Elgin was once again home to the Cinderella Carriage Car Show, a midway, a Kiddie Karnival, an artisan craft show, the Junior Firefighters Obstacle Course, and of course the entertainment tent that saw acts take the stage throughout the two day festival.
Thousands of car enthusiasts came to view hundreds of vehicles at the Cinderella's Carriage Car Show, downtown Port Elgin.
Six year old Josie Carson of Port Elgin looked a natural as firefighter Gary Smith guided her through Saugeen Shores Fire Department's Junior Firefighter Challenge in downtown Port Elgin October 1.
John Butler of St Thomas, Ontario stands with his winning 1335.5 pound squash at the 2022 Port Elgin Pumpkinfest.
Le Petit Chef, a.k.a. Tim Holland, was spotted wandering through the Pumpkinfest village in downtown Port Elgin.
The midway rides offered something for everyone.
Giant produce of all shapes and sizes were on display for visitors to view as each was weighed or measured.
Growers brought their giant vegetables from near and far to be officially weighed at this year's Pumpkinfest October 1 and 2.
Current and acclaimed Saugeen Shores Mayor, Luke Charbonneau takes aim with his slingshot at a Pumpkinfest target in this year's celebrity challenge.
Pumpkinfest 2022 saw a new North American record for the tallest sunflower as John Butler's of St Thomas, Ontario was measured at 332.5 inches.
