Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival wraps up another year

By Brandie Majeau

The Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival has come and gone for another successful

year of gathering crowds to enjoy a bountiful harvest season. Like every event, the

Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival is successful because the volunteers come together and

roll up their sleeves to get to work. The volunteers come in so many ways: organizations

chipping in to decorate, market vendors working extra hard to

ensure they had plenty of pumpkin-themed keepsakes (such as knitted pumpkin

toques), musicians enchanting the guests with traditional music on site, and the many

hands serving up a feast ranging from traditional Ukrainian dinners to Jamaican patties,

Latin-style hot dogs, bubble tea, and internationally inspired poutines.

  The Pumpkin Fair began as a friendly local competition but has blossomed into a

renowned event that attracts visitors from far and wide. What once started as a small-

scale contest has now evolved into the prestigious Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-

Off, where some of Canada’s most giant pumpkins, squash, watermelons, and gourds

are meticulously weighed. Over the years, the fair has transcended its modest origins to

become a triumphant commemoration of all things related to pumpkins and beyond. It

has transformed into a joyous celebration of family, friendship, and the distinctive

diversity of Smoky Lake itself.

This year, the festival was a call to everyone to bring a friend or family member

and immerse themselves in the experience. The market and food vendors were just a

fraction of the excitement. The cars at the show & shine were a sight to behold. The

midway was a whirlwind of activity and fun, and the corn maze was a delightful

adventure into harvest and strategy. The threshing demonstrations and Ukrainian

showcase offered a journey into Smoky Lake’s rich history of agriculture and people.

The variety of activities and food was so enticing that visitors are already looking

forward to its return next year to relive the magic, and those who missed it will have their chance in 2025.