9
May 2025
omgfacts
  • Mind
  • Body
  • Life
  • World
  • Future
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Mind

Body

Life

World

Future

|

Remove Personal Information

Privacy Policy

Contact Us

See The Unusual Boat Race That Kicks Off Every Fall In This Small Oregon Town

by N/A, 10 years ago | 2 min read

Tualatin, Oregon, residents look forward to the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta every October for a chance to dress up in costumes, check out some insanely large pumpkins and then watch as they pumpkins get turned into fully functional vessels that can traverse a lake.

What we're trying to say is, this is a more whimsical, yet badass way to take in the seasonal change, rather than just sipping on something titled pumpkin spice and calling it good.

fall people Outdoors seasons Extreme Sports Water Sports Boating Sports(General) Non-Premium

So, where do these massive gourds come from? The aptly named Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers provide the plump pumpkins that will be hollowed out and turned into boats.

Seen above is Steve Daletas, Bauman's 2012 champ and former Oregon record holder as a whopping 1,778.5 lbs. 

However, this year, one of their offerings tipped the scale at 1,794.5 lbs...

Geez, these are insane pumpkins, but let's get to the real fun with this story.

The race...

21 carved out pumpkins entered the water, but only one emerged as champion of race. And, getting that championship is not easy feat. Sure, this may look like a lot of fun, but it takes some hard work. It's brutal," explained Larry Nelson, 50, to Oregon Live,  who was second place. "It's just exhausting." 

It seems pretty obvious, but he also points out, 

There's four races throughout the day, and one featured members of local law enforcement...
Who appear to have the upper hand on the construction workers in this heated battle to the finish line...

This whole thing seems pretty crazy to us, yet it also feels very familiar. Whimsical. Giant vegetables. Quirky games and a gathering of people in rural location doing things you wouldn't see anywhere else, and really can't imagine happening IRL. What does this remind us of?

Ah yes, the kind of wacky transportation you'd see in a Wes Anderson film...
animation_image
Maybe he'll pay homage to these glorious pumpkins in one of his movies in the future?
animation_image

We'll see! (Feel free to indulge us in this speculative thought for fun, if you wish).

Tags Mind Body Life World Future
Legal Remove Personal Information Privacy Policy DMCA
Social