A river race in giant pumpkins

(OCTOBER 20, 2018) On Saturday, October 20, something funny happened in Tualatin. In fact, it has happened every year for 14 years. It is the annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta.

A "regatta" is a series of boat races. In this regatta, however, the boats are made out of giant pumpkins, a type of gourd. People start by cleaning out the inside of the hollow pumpkin. Then they put it in the water and get inside. They float in the giant pumpkins like canoes or kayaks. They use paddles to move in the water.

However, the giant pumpkins are heavy and awkward. So the race is slow. "An 1,800-pound canoe doesn't move very fast," says Brett Cooper, the president of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers Association. Still, it is a lot of fun.

Thousands of people go to Lake of the Commons in Tualatin to watch the races. There are also contests for heaviest pumpkin, a pumpkin pie eating contest, a costume contest, pumpkin golf and bowling, and other free activities.