Nova Scotia·Photos

Windsor Pumpkin Regatta brings gourd-geous boats to Lake Pesaquid

Windsor West Hants Pumpkin Society says people have been paddling with pumpkins on Lake Pesaquid for 17 years.

Community members have been pumpkin paddling for 17 years

About 40 pumpkin paddlers hit the waters of Lake Pesaquid near Windsor, N.S. Sunday afternoon for the 17th annual pumpkin regatta. 

The Windsor West Hants Pumpkin Society says the poor growing season might have contributed to fewer participants than in past years. 

Dana Taylor, the society's president, says the challenge is simple — try to get across the lake. 

"It's a bunch of people looking to have a bunch of fun," he said. "I keep watching for them to flip over as they start, that's the fun part."

Taylor says the giant gourds come from growers across the region, with school groups, businesses and even the Department of National Defence represented. 

This year, unlike many previous years, there were no motorized pumpkins. 

Taylor says he's still waiting for the day when someone figures out how to build a wind-propelled pumpkin. 

Nova Scotia pumpkin regatta

9 years ago
Duration 1:32
Residents bring gourd-geous boats to Lake Pesaquid for long-time Thanksgiving tradition