The Dwellingup Pumpkin Festival is just around the corner and locals are gearing up for the massive event that has become a favourite on West Australian's calendars.
A Dwellingup Primary School P&C fundraiser, the event has been running for more than 20 years.
The biggest draw card to the event is the giant pumpkin competition, however stalls, music, a petting zoo and entertainment in the grounds are expected to thrill attendees.
Among the top contenders for the 2018 great pumpkin title is Mandurah hobby gardener Robert Fleming.
Mr Fleming has been growing his prized pumpkin since December 2017 and thinks he’s in with a chance at this year’s competition held on Easter Saturday.
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This is only the second time Mr Fleming has tried to grow a giant pumpkin.
The first time was more than 20 years ago and ended in disaster, after someone tried to steal the vegetable.
He said it was a horrible moment when he woke up to find the pumpkin dropped on the ground, halfway down his street.
Mr Fleming said it was incredible how quickly his pumpkins grew.
“It’s like a baby that’s just been born – it’s not the same after three weeks,” he said.
While Mr Fleming loves growing pumpkins, he doesn’t like eating them. His only exception is when his wife Jill makes homemade pumpkin scones.
The 2017 festival reached record numbers, with families and friends turning out to see some of the state’s biggest pumpkins, and delight in local produce and entertainment.
The school’s manager of corporate services Dawn Bosanac said event organisers expected an even bigger crowd this year.
“Last year we had around 13,000 visitors from all walks of life,” she said.
P&C president and organiser of the festival Warren Haugh said there would be something exciting on offer for all ages at the event.
“It’s a really community focused event,” he said.
He said more than 90 market stall holders had secured a spot at the event already.
Due to the high influx of people to Dwellingup the town oval will be opened as an extra carpark on the day.
The pumpkin festival is set for March 31, at Dwellingup Primary School.
Pumpkins start arriving at 8am for the weigh in at 10:30am.
The event officially starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.
After the event, the Shire of Murray will screen the Fairbridge-based music festival-meets-romance feature, Three Summers.
Keep up to date with the Dwellingup Pumpkin Festival on Facebook.
