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Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

Have you ever seen a one-ton pumpkin? Have you ever heard of giant pumpkins being carved into canoes and raced across a lake? The 28th annual Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival will have all that and more on Oct. 1 and 2. Since 1994, giant pumpkin growers from all over California and beyond have brought their precious produce to compete in the Giant Pumpkin & Produce Weigh-Off. Last year, pumpkin grower Leonardo Urena won his fourth championship and a $7,000 cash prize with his 1,623-pound orange behemoth. Throughout both days, there are hours of amusement for festival goers with carnival rides, inflatables, arts and crafts, vendors and food trucks, pumpkin recipe contests, scarecrow contest, pumpkin patch, and more. Entertainers and musical acts will fill three stages throughout the weekend. Plus, some of the giant pumpkins from the Weigh-Off will be carved into boats and paddled across the lake in the Pumpkin Regatta! Become a friend of the Festival on social media: @ElkGroveG