Popular Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival Returns for a “Smashing-good” Time

Emily Mailhot Reporter – Vegreville News Advertiser

This year’s Great White North Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival got off to a good start Friday, October 4, with live music, free pie and coffee, and registration for the great pumpkin weigh-off. Visitors with a building sense of anticipation gathered at the hall to listen or dance to live music, while just on the other side of the big red curtain the weigh-off competitors were signing in their prized pumpkins.

“The curtain really adds something special to the event,” said Pat Elaschuk, member of the Pumpkin Festival board. “In Boston, for example, the Pumpkins are brought to a field after registration for everyone to observe. Here there is a shroud of mystery around the whole affair that builds excitement, I think.”

Since the pumpkin festival’s official beginning, Elaschuk says she has observed the community coming together in all the festivities surrounding the event.

“I’ve seen the change from the weigh off to a festival. And that was all the difference it took.”

“It’s something we all have in common,” Elaschuk said. “We have the grad class doing the carrying, painting, and parking, a church group is doing the gate admissions, the fire department helps with the pumpkin drop, Mamut donates the use of the crane, and Shane’s Towing donates the car. There’s a children’s fun zone, food vendors, a midway, a free shuttle bus, and farmers markets. I’m just proud of the community… we’re all a little stressed right now, but the community is stepping it up. The Town Staff and County Staff have really helped us, as well, and we couldn’t do it without any of those people.”