What began in 1994 as a small harvest celebration is now Elk Grove’s largest family festival and attracts an estimated 45,000 guests each year. The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is hosted by the Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with many sponsors. A portion of festival proceeds benefit local youth and service organizations. Pumpkin growers from all over California and beyond will be vying for the top prize – and perhaps a world record – as each of their enormous orange gourds hit the scales on Saturday morning. Weighing in at nearly one ton, you’ve never seen pumpkins like this before! Giant produce, from zucchini to sunflowers, will also be weighed and measured for cash prizes. The festival includes the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship, pumpkin recipe contest, scarecrow-making contest, kids’ zone, live entertainment, an art walk, crafts, pumpkin foods and a race across the lake between giant pumpkin boats!
Written by Keilah Woodard
My love for exploring and creating experiences with my three kids led to the founding of SacramentoSidetracks.com in 2009. I realized that Sacramento has so much to offer and I was excited to share my findings with other parents. Besides simply having fun, these are the other positive side effects of taking my kids on outings that I’ve discovered: we have quality time together away from the distractions at home, we cultivate our curiosity, learn new things, conversations are triggered by what we see and do, we connect and bond as a family, and we create new memories. Ready to get sidetracked, too? Let me be your guide!
