ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Elk Grove Park comes alive every October with autumn cheer that invites pumpkin and fall lovers from all around to the coveted Giant Pumpkin Festival.

It returns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, two days filled with family fun, fall flavors and towering gourds. Admission is free, with $20 parking and a free bike valet available.

Since its start in 1994 as a small pumpkin contest in a parking lot, the event has grown into one of the largest harvest festivals in Northern California.

It remains a showcase for competitive pumpkin growing, where growers bring their biggest gourds to the scales in hopes of setting records. In 2018, a pumpkin weighing 2,138 pounds took the top prize.

Ruben Frias, right, and his family pose with their first place, 1967-pound pumpkin at last year’s Giant Pumpkin Festival.

“Every October, our community comes together for a tradition that’s been part of Elk Grove for over 30 years. What once started as a pumpkin contest in a small parking lot has grown into a two-day festival that fills the whole park with families, friends and fall fun,” said Cosumnes Community Services District President Angela Spease.

Beyond the weigh-off, the festival features carnival rides, live entertainment, food trucks and rows of craft vendors. Families can hunt for the perfect pumpkin to take home, create seasonal crafts and sample everything from pumpkin pies to harvest-inspired treats.

One of the most anticipated attractions is the Pumpkin Regatta, a quirky competition in which massive pumpkins are hollowed out and transformed into floating vessels for a race across the park’s lake. The spectacle combines skill, courage and humor, making it a crowd favorite year after year.

Volunteers use a forklift and sling to prepare a giant pumpkin for judging at last year’s Giant Pumpkin Festival. Citizen file photo

Festivalgoers are also invited to show off their own talents in contests ranging from pumpkin recipes and cupcake decorating to scarecrow building and art displays with cash prizes up for grabs.

“A giant thank-you goes out to our staff, sponsors, volunteers and service groups for making it all possible,” said Spease. “Whether this is your first time at the festival or a tradition you never miss, we’re grateful to have you celebrate with us and create new memories together.”