Tualatin's West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta will spread onto Southwest 84th Avenue on Sunday, Oct. 18, adding food vendors to ease crowding. Organizers expect 20,000 to 25,000 visitors at the free festival at the Lake of the Commons.

"By placing additional food trucks along 84th, we're hoping to spread things out and reduce congestion in the main food court," Heidi Marx, Tualatin Parks and Recreation's pumpkin regatta event coordinator, told the Valley Times, which first reported the expansion.

The festival at 8325 S.W. Nyberg St. opens at 10 a.m. with a welcome from Mayor Bubenik and a Tualatin High School Marching Band pep rally at 10:15 a.m. Pumpkin races begin at noon.

New east-side stage

A new performance area on the east side of Nyberg Avenue brings two acts to the lineup. The Pillage People, an a cappella pirate group, perform at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Rose City Dancing Witches take the stage at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Juggler Rhys Thomas returns on the main stage at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Race schedule

The first heat at noon features members of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers paddling pumpkins many of them grew. Invited guests and top sponsors follow in the second heat.

At 2 p.m., members of the Tualatin Police Department will challenge Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVFR) personnel in a friendly paddle race. About 20 paddlers chosen from submitted applications will also race in the afternoon heats. The paddler pool for 2026 includes entrants from as far away as North Carolina and one competitor from France.

Between 60 and 70 costumed paddlers are expected to circle the lake over the course of the afternoon. The giant pumpkins they ride can weigh more than 1,000 pounds, Tualatin Life reported.

Getting there

Parking near the lake is limited. A free Pumpkin Shuttle, free bike valet and ADA parking will be available. Shuttle routes and parking details are posted at parks.tualatinoregon.gov.

Other activities include pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, a kids' costume contest at 3 p.m. for children 11 and under, face painting, professional pumpkin carvers Tom Lindskog and Tim Pate, and a Regatta Medallion Hunt.

Tualatin artist Brenna White, who has created the Regatta's poster artwork each year since 2010, will have a vendor booth at the festival.

Weekend calendar

  • Saturday, Oct. 17: Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers' Terminator Weigh-Off, noon to 5 p.m. at Stickmen Brewing Company, 19475 S.W. 118th Ave. Free admission.
  • Sunday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.: Regatta Run/Walk 5K at Tualatin Community Park, 8513 S.W. Tualatin Road. Hosted by the Tualatin Rotary Club.
  • Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta at the Lake of the Commons, 8325 S.W. Nyberg St. Free admission.