Going for the Gourd! One Ton Pumpkins Always a Gaping Sight and Giant Thrill at City’s Signature Fall Event!

Entering its sixth year, this year’s event happens Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21–22, in the Stacks Courtyard—part of the 3 Crossings campus development in the Strip District on Railroad Street.

 

It gives spectators from the tri-state a virtually all-free invitation to plow through what has become the city’s most unique, and certainly most elephantine, make-shift pumpkin field of fall family fun. And yes, those gargantuan fruits are real pumpkins, confirms Michael Dongilli, event producer and manager. “It’s the question asked the most, followed by, ‘how long does it take to grow these things?'” he adds.

 

The “things” are properly called Atlantic Giants, the largest pumpkin variety in the world, and the answer to how long is approximately 90 to 120 days. “If weather and growing conditions are good, the fruits can add 50+ pounds per day,” he says.

 

For many in the region, the festival has become a “can’t miss” attraction, not only to admire the colossal stature of the gourds, but also to experience the intriguing ways they are used in the event. Because Pittsburgh’s festival is held after nearly all of the major “weigh-off” competitions in the country, it typically secures the largest pumpkins every year. “For example, in 2019, we had the world champion,” says Dongilli, “a 2,517-pounder grown by Karl Haist of Clarence Center, NY.”

 

Last year, Dave Stelts of Enon Valley, PA, the event’s primary growing and procuring partner, and a former state champion set a world record for the most 2,000+ pounders grown in a single season—all five were featured at last year’s affair.

 

And when they’re bigger, the harder and louder they fall—perfectly proportioned for the festival’s most anticipated attraction—its famous pumpkin drop, where a 2,000-pound behemoth gets hoisted by a crane over 200 feet high and released into an inflatable pool of water. Done twice each day, the one garnering the most “oohs and aahs” is the “Project Bundle Up” splash. Here, the pool is littered with numbered ping-pong balls, purchased by spectators, that float freely in the water. After the pumpkin hits the pool, the ball traveling farthest from it wins a hefty prize package. All the money collected gets donated to Project Bundle-Up—a program that has provided new winter outerwear [coats, hats, gloves, and boots] for children and senior citizens from low-income households in western Pennsylvania since 1986.

 

The festival always features a quartet of the top giant pumpkin carvers, including Oregon’s Dean Murray, affectionately called the pumpkin whisperer, who has been with the event since its inception. This year’s carving, with the overarching theme of Welcome to the Jungle, will feature beasts of the animal world in a gigantic, all organic, orange skin zoo.

 

But mammoth drops and super-sized sculpted animal props are just a few of the engaging spectacles awaiting festival fans and families. A gourd-geous line-up of activities and attractions makes the event a must for autumn lovers and pumpkin patrons of every age, including:

 

Cooky5Kcaper: the LECOM Costume Caper 5K Family Fun Run/Walk is billed as the city’s only “dash in disguise”…avid racers, exercise trotters, or just plain scenic strollers are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween-themed getups! The scariest, funniest, and most original costumes earn special awards. The top 3 finishers in eight age categories take home glass pumpkin trophies, and all entrants receive a medal, a cool tech t-shirt, and special post-race treats. To enter: https://shorturl.at/vKLTU.

 

Spotlightsculptor: professional carver and Plum Boro native Brendan Conaway, known locally as the Pittsburgh Pumpkin Guy, is the festival’s “spotlight artist.” He’ll appear all weekend long, demonstrating technique, answering questions, and showcasing skills. He’ll also carve the only jack-o-lantern at the event—a nearly 2,000-pound herculean specimen nicknamed the Xfinity Extreme.

 

Pumpkinpull: grab the bull and give it a pull—the bull rope, we mean in one brute test of brawn! A 500-pound plus pumpkin gets strapped on to a trailer. You grab the rope and tug slightly uphill on a defined track. The fastest times recorded each day earn prizes.

 

Charmingclops: the event’s horse-drawn carriages are pulled by majestic Percherons from Misty Lane Farms and run all day for one enchanting and memorable joy ride.

 

Baleboys: for the past three years, local and talented muralists Max “GEMS” Gonzalez, Shane Pilster, and Scott Brozovich have created dynamic scenes on unusual canvases at the event—pumpkins, of course, burlap-covered walls, and most recently, round bales of hay measuring 4’ high and 5’ wide. The bales are back, and so are the three graffiti guys to spray paint these spectacular straw portraits.

 

Glassclass: Husband and wife glass-blowing team Drew and Jeannine Hine of Vessel Studio Glass demonstrate this traditional glass-making technique with multiple performances over the weekend…and make available, for purchase, varying seasonal pieces—pumpkins, acorns, leaves in multiple colors and sizes—along with other hand-blown items.

 

Gourddiggers: Three first-time festival carvers will join Murray this year to sculpt the event’s main pumpkin exhibit: world champion ice and wood carver Chris Foltz; season 2 winner of Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins,” Ryan Anderson; and champion ice carver Matthew Stoddart. They take on the titanic task of sculpting nearly 10 tons of pumpkin into a seamless scene.

 

Sensationalsplashes: 2,000+ pound pumpkins free falling from over 200 feet high. “Definitely our biggest crowd pleaser,” says Dongilli. There are two drops each day. Balls are available now for the Project Bundle-Up prize package at: https://shorturl.at/zNPQ6.

Pieplunge: A pie eating contest for those who savor sugar, spice and dessert always twice. Gulp down and keep down a 9-inch, whipped cream-topped pie and win some special prizes. No hands, no utensils, and nothing but a face plant into the pie are allowed, of course. For a chance to enter: https://shorturl.at/gqvL9

Charactercharm: Photo-op stations featuring authentic-looking characters to capture that perfect picture. Costumed role players appear at scheduled times each day and include Belle, Spider-Gwen, Wednesday, and Jack Skellington.

 

PumpkinPatchaplenty: 70+ craft, food/drink and other vendors will make their wares available.

For a complete schedule and up-to-the-minute event details, visit: monsterpumpkins.com.