From Farm to Festival: The Agritourism Experience at Elk Grove's Giant Pumpkin Festival

Overview

Elk Grove’s annual Giant Pumpkin Festival is the perfect blend of agricultural education and recreation for the whole family! For over thirty years, Elk Grove Park has welcomed visitors from near and far to enjoy fall festivities.

Learn more about the behind-the-scenes of growing giant pumpkins from renowned farmer, Nick Kennedy. Nick has been in the industry for three years, setting state records for his produce, while teaching his son the importance of this type of unique hard work.

What is Agritourism?

Agritourism is a large component of the Giant Pumpkin Festival, drawing thousands of guests and farmers from around the United States. Farmers travel from as far as Washington, Wisconsin, and Michigan. According to Nick, an individual from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth even travelled to Elk Grove all the way from Spain!

Over 75,000 guests are in attendance each year, witnessing the power and importance of farming in California. Visitors are able to connect with farmers’ stories from around the world as they showcase their most prized possessions. The festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the farming roots of the region and beyond, providing visitors with an inside look at the hard work and dedication of the farmers at the festival.

Do you have questions for the pumpkin growers? They are eager to talk with the public on Sunday of the festival. On Sunday, the top 3 giant pumpkins are on display with a giant produce, pumpkin and puppy petting zoo, in partnership with the pride of laguna creek lions and canine companions. Be sure to visit the growers on Sunday in this designated area at the festival.

History of Elk Grove’s Giant Pumpkin Festival

The Giant Pumpkin Festival originated in Elk Grove in 1994. What began as a small harvest celebration grew to become one of Elk Grove’s largest family festivals. The festival continues to be a beacon for giant pumpkin growers competing for glory and cash prizes. Over the years, event organizers and attendees have witnessed unimaginable pumpkins, like the 2,138-pound record-breaker in 2018!

The spotlight shines bright on Elk Grove Park every October with local, national, and worldwide media coverage including in Malta, Australia, Great Britain, Hungary, Indonesia, and South Korea. In 2023, a TikTok video of the Pumpkin Regatta received over 2.9 million views! The interest and engagement of Giant Pumpkin Festival attendees and viewers from afar gives the celebration the recognition it deserves.

@cosumnesparkrec Row, row, row your pumpkin boat! The 29th Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival brought a mighty fleet of pumpkin boats and a few wipeouts! Congrats to Johnny “the Shark” Gayton for defending his title and winning the Regatta for the second year in a row!  #ElkGroveGPF #pumpkinseason #fall #giantpumpkin #festival ♬ original sound - Lottie Bounds

The Main Attraction

As expected, the award-winning pumpkins are the stars of the show for good reason; the process of growing a giant pumpkin takes months of dedication. Nick explains the process beginning with, “Oftentimes, the offseason (December through February) is focused on people looking at genetic traits in pumpkins that grow big; they do that by identifying the weights. From there you start by planting and preparing your soil, which is arguably the most important thing you can do as a giant pumpkin grower. From there, it’s really all about making sure your soil is balanced and that all of the growing factors are in the right place (proper nutrients, sunlight, soil, etc.).”

Nick compares giant pumpkin growing to the human body in the feeding and nurturing sense. You must continue to monitor and adjust elements as needed during the growing process in order to get a result that is worthy of a festival entry.

Credit >> Nick Kennedy

The Aftermath of the Giant Pumpkin Festival

As you pack your belongings after your weekend at the Giant Pumpkin Festival, you may ask yourself, where do all of the pumpkins go? According to Nick, many of the pumpkins are donated to Zoos and other attraction venues, or sold to casinos, large banks, and hotels for holiday displays. A 2,000-pound pumpkin would make quite the statement at check-in!

Planning Your Visit

The Giant Pumpkin Festival provides a unique visitor experience to engage in the cultivation of agricultural practices in California. Along with the produce competitions, there are lots of fall-themed activities and live entertainment throughout the park. Elk Grove is a short 20-minute drive from Sacramento International Airport. Our city is also easily accessible from major highways and in close proximity to San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe, and Redding. Plan your visit for the Giant Pumpkin Festival today!