2024 River Prairie Ginormous Pumpkin Festival

CELEBRATING GIANT PUMPKINS AND THEIR GROWERS!

Saturday, September 28, 2024

8:00AM - 3:30PM

River Prairie Park, Altoona, WI

Photo by Kathy Westaby

Checkout the video to hear about the 2024 weigh-off from our title sponsors, Group Health Cooperative & WESTconsin Credit Union!

Video about the 2024 River Prairie Ginormous Pumpkin Festival.

 

Presented by Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire

Event Also Sponsored By

 

Event Location

 

River Prairie Park

1419 Front Porch Place

Altoona, WI 54720

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Grower information

Photo by Kathy Westaby

Photo by Kathy Westaby

Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off (7AM - 2PM)

Best time to view the pumpkins is between 10am-Noon

A t-shirt will be provided to the registrant if submitted by Thursday, September 12th at noon. Registrations received after the deadline WILL NOT receive a t-shirt.

Every grower that attends will be asked to pre-register for the event. Starting this year, there will be a $25 registration fee for growers. Members of the Wisconsin Giant Pumpkin Growers (WGPG) will have their fees waived. Join the WGPG today >> http://www.wisconsingiantpumpkingrowers.com/join.html

Growers entering a pumpkin at a weigh off for the first time will have their registration waived. Volunteers of the festival will also have their registration fee waived. Registration money, in the form of cash or check, will be collected upon check in at the festival. A registration form will be required for EACH AND EVERY ENTRY, whether it be a pumpkin, squash, tomato, long gourd etc.

Day of registration must be completed by 10am. If registering the day of please arrive early to ensure enough time is given for the registration and unloading process.

ALSO, consider volunteering at the festival!!! Click the link below. As a benefit of volunteering, your registration fee will be waived. >>Click here to view the Sign Up Genius Volunteer Registration-2024<<

>>Click here for the weigh off registration form<<

>>CLICK HERE FOR THE 2024 weigh off prize structure <<


Lodging:

The nearest hotel is Staybridge Suites- Altoona (click to view), which is located in the River Prairie Development near river prairie park. For other local hotel lodging options, please click here.

Event Information

Pumpkin Weigh-Off

Giant pumpkins, vegetables and fruits will be weighed throughout the festival (7AM - 2PM). Best time to view the pumpkins is between 10AM - Noon.


The Great Pumpkin Races

A race for every age! Day of registration/packet pick-up begins at 8:30am.

9AM- The Great Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk (9yrs old+) Approx. 10:15AM- Lil Pumpkin 1/2 Mile Run (9-12 yrs old) Approx. 10:30AM- Lil Pumpkin 1/4 Mile Run (5-8 yrs old) Approx. 10:45AM- Tiny Tot 75 Yard Pumpkin Trot (1-4 yrs old)

For race details and registration see Run Info section.


Pumpkin Dessert Contest

Do you have what it takes to make the best pumpkin dessert in the Chippewa Valley? Anyone can enter the contest as long as you pre-register.

For dessert contest details and registration see Dessert Contest section.


Enjoy browsing the numerous artist booths! The market will be open from 8:30AM - 2PM and will be located on the small lit plaza along Front Porch Place.

Artist Market


Let’s not forget about our forever friends! Any pet can enter the contest! Registration will be day of contest starting at 10:30AM.

For costume contest details see Costume Contest section.

Pet Costume Contest


New for 2024! Check back soon for details!

Scarecrow Contest


Brought to you by Mathnasium & Mcilquham Orchard and Strawberries! Test your accuracy skills as you launch apples from the overlook of River Prairie Pond, located near the Veteran's Tribute Plaza. Participants will be challenged to use the apple slingshot to hit a floating target in River Prairie Pond. Those who hit the target will be entered into a prize drawing. Cost is 5 apples for $5 and will be available from 10AM - 2PM or while supplies last. Fun for the entire family!

Apple Slingshot


Rubber Ducky Race

Will your duck be the fastest of them all? Ducks can be purchased starting at 9AM with the race being at 12:30PM!


Kid Pumpkin Decorating

Kids can come decorate a pumpkin while supplies lasts! Decorating will begin at 11:30AM


Brought to you by Market & Johnson & Festival Foods! A Ginormous pumpkin filled with candy will be dropped out of mid air! The pumpkin drop will be taking place at 3PM near the big American Flag near River Prairie Pavilion C (1658 Bluestem Blvd).

Ginormous Pumpkin Drop

Run Information

Pumpkin dessert contest

Photo by Megan Zabel Holmes

Photo by Megan Zabel Holmes

 

Do you have what it takes to make the best pumpkin dessert in the Chippewa Valley?

Who: Anyone can enter the contest as long as you pre-register (registration deadline: September 25) What: Any pumpkin flavored dessert! Time: 11 AM - 12 PM Location: OakLeaf Surgical Amphitheater Fee: FREE Prize: 1st place- $100; 2nd place- $50; 3rd place- $25

Contest participants are asked to bring 12 servings for the contest. We will have 3 judges and the rest of the desserts will be shared with the growers.

Registration is online through Altoona Parks & Recreation. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 25

>>Click Here to register<<

 

 Pet Costume Contest

Is your pet’s HOWL-O-Ween costume spooktacular?!

PET Halloween Costume Contest:

Don’t forget about those forever friends! Any well mannered, leashed pet is welcome to enter the contest!

Who: Any pet dressed in a Halloween themed costume! Time: 11 AM - 12 PM; Registration starting at 10:30 AM Location: OakLeaf Surgical Amphitheater Fee: FREE Prize: Goblin’ It Up Goodie Basket

2023 Results

All results can be viewed on here! (Click Here)

Pumpkins (Atlantic Giant)

Winner_Sketch.jpg
 

Squash (Atlantic Giant)

Watermelon

Long Gourd

Bushel Gourd

Field Pumpkin

Marrow

Tomato

Howard Dill Winner -
1st Place - Jim Stoffel
2nd Place - Amy & Randy Lauritzen
3rd Place - Brian Turner


EVENT MEDIA

CNN Feature (Click Here)

weau - nEWS 13 2023 Article (cLICK hERE)

WQOW - nEWS 18 2023 Article (cLICK HERE)

LEADER TELEGRAM (CLICK HERE)

How to Grow a Giant Pumpkin for Beginners Webinar

 

 Growing Records

Click here to view all records!

COntact

 For more information, please reach out to:

Mike Golat, City Administrator

michaelg@ci.altoona.wi.us

715-839-6092