Photos: Chad Mohler
Let the gourd times roll at this family-friendly seasonal celebration.
Get ready for a smashing good time this autumn at the Stillwater Harvest Fest. Promoted as the Midwest’s premier giant pumpkin festival, the downtown Stillwater event boasts an incredible lineup of pumpkin-centered activities, including a weigh off, pumpkin drop and pumpkin regatta.
The festivities will go from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 12 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. October 13 with live music, food trucks, a vendor market, a beer and wine garden, kids activities (including an inflatable park, costume parade and kids’ pedal tractor pull), a pie eating contest and chili cook off.
The Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off will happen October 12; it’s a tradition that has consistently put the celebration on the map for competitive pumpkins, with growers traveling from across the Midwest to participate. “To come see pumpkins that are 2,000 pounds is pretty incredible to see,” says event coordinator Cassie McLemore. “You can’t really imagine it until you see it.”
At 5:30 p.m. both days, families can enjoy watching huge pumpkins hurtle to the ground from a 100-foot crane. And at 2 p.m. October 13, don’t miss the pumpkin regatta on the St. Croix River. “They’re really fun, special events that people enjoy,” McLemore says. “I mean, how can you not enjoy watching somebody paddle a giant pumpkin down the river?”
Stillwater Harvest Fest is organized by Summer Tuesdays and is free to the public, with a free shuttle available from Stillwater Middle School and Cub Foods Corporate.
Stillwater Harvest Fest
Lowell Park—North, 201 Water St. N., Stillwater
stillwaterharvestfest@gmail.com
Facebook: Stillwater Harvest Fest
Instagram: @stillwaterharvestfest
