The 24th annual Harvest Pumpkin Festival is well underway in Armstrong and Spallumcheen, and the festival's Family Day is set to bring a number of free events and activities to the Armstrong fairgrounds this weekend.
Family Day takes place Saturday, Oct. 12 and promises to be a highlight of the festival, which began Oct. 4 and runs until Oct. 14.
One of the festival's marquee events, the Great Pumpkin Weigh-In, will see local growers attempt to break the provincial record for biggest pumpkin at the Armstrong fairgrounds.
In 2023, Jordon Abbate's giant pumpkin topped the scales at 1,090 pounds. In Langley last weekend, a giant pumpkin weighed in at 1,161 pounds, setting a new provincial record.
"Will we have a contender for biggest pumpkin in B.C. on Saturday, Oct. 12? We think so," said Patti Noonan, executive director of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, which is putting on the festival.
Weigh-in will be from 9-11 a.m. and there are categories for adults and children 12 and under. All pumpkins will be on display from noon to 2 p.m.
The winner in the adult category will take home $500 while the winner in the children's category will receive $100.
Entry forms are available at the chamber office or by emailing manager@aschamber.com.
"A big thank you to Mike Paull who has lifted and weighed pumpkins since we started the festival 鈥� and to Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Rec for providing equipment to lift these giants," said Noonan.
The Great Pumpkin Weigh-In is made possible through financial support by event sponsor Armstrong Kin Club, and the Armstrong Regional Co-operative which has provided a gas card for an earlybird registration draw.
Also during Family Day, there will be a farmer's market at the Armstrong fairgrounds from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meanwhile, an Autumn Artisan Showcase takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring 1062 Custom Designs, Homespun Haven, Happi Dani Tea, Mariyln's Dragonflies, Laura Gabor Live Painting, Jewelry by Melia, Jennifer Blake Printing and Signs from the Heart.
Food and beverage vendors will be on hand, including PV BLVD Coffee, Wicked Waffles, Tapped Events and the Bannock Ladies.
Ongoing chainsaw carving demos with Tyler Welfing will be happening at the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dairy classroom milking demonstrations will take place at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Horse Drawn Okanagan will be offering wagon rides through the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During those same hours, there will be face painting by Christine Turpin in the Horticulture Building.
Pumpkin sculpting with Darcie Hodge, and pumpkin painting with Anna Hodge, will be offered in the Horticulture Building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Vernon Girls Trumpet Band will be playing tunes at 11 a.m., and Kinshira Entertainment will be putting on circus performances at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Kiki the Eco Elf will perform for kids in the Horticulrure Building at 1 p.m., which is also when the Great Pumpkin Launch will be held in the fairgrounds. The launch will see people bring homemade catapults, slingshots or trebuchets to send pumpkins through the air towards a target.
For more information on the Harvest Pumpkin Festival, visit the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce .
