West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
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The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a pumpkin regatta held annually in Tualatin, Oregon since 2004.[1] The race is held on the Lake of the Commons, a man-made lake in Tualatin.[2][3]
History
The regatta was co-founded in 2004 by Jim Sherwood and Ron Wilson. Sherwood is a founder of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers which supplies the tournament with its pumpkins.[1][4] Sherwood, who had been looking for secondary uses for pumpkins after entering them in weighing competitions, was inspired by the Windsor Pumpkin Regatta, which had been founded in 1999.[1][5]
The inaugural tournament was held in Tualatin after Wilson, was denied permission to host the competition in a lake in Rainier, Oregon.[6] The inaugural tournament featured a few competitors and a few dozen onlookers. By 2007, the tournament had grown and featured 2,000 spectators.[7] Approximately 20,000 people from around the United States and Canada view the event today.[1][8][9]
Tournament structure
The tournament consists of multiple heats: one for pumpkin growers, one for the tournament's sponsors, one for local officials, and two for the members of the general public who enter via a lottery.[7][1] Before the competition starts, pumpkins are lowered into the lake by forklifts before they are carved into boats.[2] The race runs for approximately a quarter mile.[1] Competitors are required to be over the age of 18 and wear family-friendly costumes.[10]
Along with the regatta, the event features other pumpkin-themed competitions.[11]