The small town of Nekoosa is nestled along the Wisconsin River just south of Wisconsin Rapids. This charming little town get transformed every year around Halloween as it becomes home to the Giant Pumpkin Fest. This part of Wisconsin grows a lot of pumpkins and in 1984, a group of giant pumpkin growers got together to form the Wisconsin Giant Pumpkin Growers group. Folks all around the state take part in this group as they take on the hobby of growing giant pumpkins. And in Nekoosa, you’ll find an official weigh-off and a celebration of all things giant pumpkin.
The folks in the Nekoosa area are proud of their giant pumpkins and growing a huge gourd is not easy work. So they celebrate everything about this wonderful hobby over the course of the first weekend in October.
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This awesome festival takes over the small town and draws folks from all over to bring in their scale-tipping pumpkins.
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And while deciding who’s grown the biggest pumpkin is a big part of the event, there’s also plenty of other stuff to do all over town that will draw you in.
Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest
It wouldn’t be a pumpkin festival with out a pumpkin pie eating contest. In fact, there’s a wide variety of contests to enter here, including a huge list of baking options. So start perfecting your pumpkin brownie recipe!
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But we weren’t kidding when we said this place celebrates the giant pumpkin. You’ll find races where folks use their giant pumpkins as canoes.
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And a sculpture artist who transforms these giant gourds into works of art.
Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest
One of the favorite events is the giant pumpkin drop, where a huge pumpkin is hoisted up high and then dropped to splat down below. It’s like the ball drop at New Year’s, but a whole lot messier. Once the pumpkin is pulp, kids go running to collect pieces and nab the seeds.
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For a few weeks in October, Nekoosa becomes giant pumpkin obsessed, making it the perfect place to visit this fall.
Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest
This year, the Giant Pumpkin Festival takes place October 5 and 6 in Nekoosa. Admission is $3. There is $5 parking, or you can park at any Nekoosa area school and take a free shuttle. There will be a carnival, flea market, car show, tractor show and so much more. For more information, check out the Giant Pumpkin Festival website here. See more photos on their Facebook page.
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Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest
The Giant Pumpkin Festival takes place at Riverside Park in Nekoosa, 916 Prospect Ave., Nekoosa, WI 54457.
Looking for more amazing Harvest Festivals? Check out 14 Harvest Festivals In Wisconsin That Will Make Your Autumn Awesome.
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