It’s Grow Time! Lure of the Giants Makes Monster Pumpkins Festival a Must-See Marvel For All.

Boasting fruits bigger than compact cars and heavier than an adult rhinoceros, the pumpkins in this patch are a mind-boggling anomaly of Mother Nature—emanating from a seed about the size of a thumbnail, yet able to put on over 50 pounds/day during the peak of their growing season.

The City’s festival has become one of America’s most prolific places to witness these one-ton-plus cucurbits where annually they are uniquely carved into incredibly detailed scenes, flamboyantly painted, creatively staged and, most notably in Pittsburgh, hoisted over 200-feet high and dropped into a pool filled with water for charity.

“We currently hold the world height record—230 feet—for a pumpkin drop,” said event producer and manager Michael Dongilli of Vivid Pittsburgh. “While the size of the pumpkins is astonishing, the thunderous explosion when hearing one fall that high is teeth-shattering.”

Pittsburgh’s event happens after nearly all of the major “weigh-off” competitions in the country. It allows the event to procure most of the record-breaking fruits grown each year and use them to create sights found at no other giant pumpkin extravaganza anywhere in the world.

Specifically impressive is the hand-carved sculpture done each year by a team of the world’s most accomplished carvers skilled in the craft of temporary art. This year’s overarching theme—Under the Big Top—brings circus animals into the spotlight and will also include a ring of fire that gets ignited during the day.

A new year often brings an innovative “pumpkin component” to the event, though not necessarily involving giants.

“In 2023, we invited spectators to flex their pecs with the “Point Park University Pumpkin Pull.” Using a bull rope, contestants had to drag, slightly uphill, a 500+ pound pumpkin stationed on a 4-wheeled cart. Whoever did it the fastest won a nice prize package. Surprisingly, many were able to do so with more ease that we imagined—so, we’re tripling the weight this year to make it more challenging.

This year, we’re adding the “Squash Sling”—botanically pumpkins are a squash and a gourd—a giant sling-shot where folks will get the chance to shoot small pie pumpkins and earn prizes for their accurate aim.

While big drops and colossal props highlight the day, other gourd-geous activities, attractions and spectacles await festival fans and families, too…making the event an Autumn adventure for pumpkin patrons of every age including:

Cloaked5Kcaper: the LECOM Costume Caper 5K Family Fun Run/Walk invites joggers and walkers to participate in disguise. Scariest, funniest and most original costumes earn special awards while Top 3 finishers, male and female, in eight age categories take home glass pumpkin trophies. All entrants receive a medal, cool tech t-shirt and special post-race treats.

Squashsling: new!…a sling shot designed and anchored for launching small pumpkins at fixed distance targets. Take aim, release, watch it fly…compete for prizes.

Firepower: performers from Iron City Circus will do two shows each day including the fire-thrilling feats of Lovely Lady Lydia

Gourdgrapple: the Point Park Pumpkin Pull is one brute test of brawn! The test is strait-forward—pull a 1,500-pound plus pumpkin slightly uphill on a defined track—the tug is. Fastest times recorded each day earn prizes.

Gracefulgallops: the majestic Percherons from Misty Lane Farms prance all day for one enchanting and memorable carriage ride.

Hayspray: talented muralists Max “GEMS” Gonzalez, Shane Pilster and Scott Brozovich spray–paint dynamic scenes on unusual canvases—pumpkins, burlap–covered walls and giant round hay bales weighing nearly 1,000 pounds.

Glassclass: husband and wife glass–blowing team Drew and Jeannine Hine of Vessel Studio Glass demonstrate this centuries–old glass-making technique with multiple performances over the weekend…and make available, for purchase, varying Fall–themed pieces.

Cucurbitcarvers: the artistic team performing this year includes world champion ice/wood carver Chris Foltz; Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins” and “Halloween Wars” champion, Danny Kissel and champion wood/pumpkin carver Ryan Andersen…all under the leadership of world renown carver extraordinaire Dean Murray. Together, they’ll take on the titanic task of sculpting nearly 10 tons of pumpkin into one seamless scene.

Sensationalsplashes: 2,000+ pound pumpkins free-falling from over 200-feet high…happens twice each day, including the WTAE Pumpkin Drop benefiting Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh.

Pieplunge: gulp it down, keep it down—a 9-inch, whipped creamed topped pie that is. No hands, no utensils, nothing but a face plant into the pie is allowed of course. Fastest eater gets rewarded.

Charactercharm: photo-op stations featuring authentic looking characters to capture that perfect picture. Costumed role players appear at scheduled times each day.

Patchaplenty: 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