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South Jordan Journal

Eighth Annual Pumpkin Regatta held in South Jordan

Oct 30, 2018 02:22PM ● By Jana Klopsch

2018 Pumpkin Regatta racers (Photo Courtesy: ABC4)

By Jennifer Gardiner | [email protected] 


It's that time of year: Pumpkins are everywhere—even in places you wouldn’t think to see them, floating on a lake in South Jordan. 

Thousands of people show up every fall for the annual Ginormous Pumpkin Regatta. Held at Oquirrh Lake in South Jordan on Oct. 20, and this year was no different.

Giant pumpkins galore, and did you know they float? Dozens of very large pumpkins set sail out on the lake and raced to the finish line, weighing into the hundreds of pounds.

“Why would anybody in their right mind spend all summer growing a ginormous pumpkin just to cut a hole in it and row it in a lake?” said Robb Baumann, Mountain Valley Seed Company. “It is just a great way to celebrate a whole season of growing and enjoy it and go out with a bang.”

Baumann, whose name also adorns the Trophy for one of his wins over the years, said he thinks the Ginormous Pumpkin Regatta Trophy is “even better than the Stanley Cup,” which goes to the champion of the National Hockey League.

Live Daybreak partnered with Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers and Mountain Valley Seed Company for the eighth annual event that included food trucks, events and photo opportunities. 

The Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers also held another event recently. The 10th annual Ginormous Pumpkin Drop was held Oct. 27 at Hee Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove. Ten Tons of pumpkins, each weighing hundreds of pounds, were dropped from 14 stories (175 feet) above to different targets down below. 

Pumpkin growers came from all over the country to attend the event. 

Another fun-filled pumpkin event is scheduled later this month. Feast with the Beast will be at Hogle Zoo, 2600 East Sunnyside Ave. in Salt Lake City on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Visitors will be able to watch as the animals smash, eat and play with turkey-shaped piñatas and pumpkins.