Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest 2025

NEKOOSA, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – The Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest takes place every year during the first full weekend of October.

This community festival started in the 90s, and it has only grown since. Now, the two-day festival brings pumpkin and other garden growing enthusiasts from all over to compete in the Giant Pumpkin, Vegetable, and Fruit Weigh-Off.

History

In the mid 90s, John Weidman had a vision to not only bring giant pumpkin growers to Nekoosa, but to turn it into the festival it is today. It all began in 1995 when growers in the area wanted to start a local weigh-off. A history written by Tim Johnson and published in the Wisconsin Giant Pumpkin Growers June 2025 newsletter shares the story of how the organization started. Johnson wrote that for their third year weigh-off, the organizers convinced the mayor of Nekoosa to allow them to use Riverside Park for the event.

This is when Nekoosa resident John Weidman jumped in with both feet. Weidman envisioned having a carnival, craft and flea market, an old tractor show, and a car show to help provide money for running the weigh-off. Four years later, they added the giant pumpkin drop.

27th Year

This is the 27th year of the Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest. Vice President of the board Heather Sairs says this event has something for everyone. This year they have over 200 craft vendors and more than 20 food vendors. In addition to the Weigh-Off on Saturday, there is also the Classic Tractor Show. There’s an entire tent for kid’s activities both Saturday and Sunday. Kids can decorate pumpkins for free along with several other free activities. Randy Peterson will be there to entertain as well as Pete Gilson. A pumpkin carver will carve giant pumpkins throughout the weekend and a caricature artist will be drawing free portraits. On Sunday, the Car Cruise-In is an opportunity for classic car owners to set up their vehicles for display.

The carnival is open both days and wristbands are available for purchase. Sairs says this event couldn’t happen without the help of all of their sponsors. Many local community businesses contributed raffle baskets. With more than 20 raffle baskets, Sairs says there’s a wide variety of choices available. People can purchase tickets and take a chance to win. Money raised will go directly back into the Pumpkin Fest Fund for next year.

Weigh-Off

The all important event is, of course, the Weigh-Off. It starts early Saturday morning and growers will start bringing in their entries before the grounds even open. Check-in and Registration is open from 7-10 a.m.. Growers can pre-register or register on-site. Wisconsin Giant Pumpkin Growers members can weigh one item for free.

Additional entries are $5. Non-members and members who joined after June 1will pay $15 for the first entry, and $5 for each additional entry. Entrants must be in line for registration by 10 a.m. to qualify for the competition. The Weigh-Off starts at 10 a.m. This Weigh-Off is a Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) sanctioned event and all GPC rules will be followed.

Giant Pumpkin Drop

The giant pumpkin drop is the showcase event to close out each day of the festival. Crowds gather in a large ring around the massive crane that hoists the great pumpkin high in the sky. There’s a count-down and the select few chosen to pull the release cord let the huge gourd fall. After a ground-shaking crash bursts the pumpkin rind open, the crowd races to grab the seeds. You can use these seeds to grow your own giant pumpkin! Saturday’s drop happens at 5 p.m. and Sunday’s drop closes out the entire festival at 4 p.m.

Costs

Entrance fees for the Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest at Riverside Park are $4 for ages 8 and up, $1 for ages 4-7, and children under 3 are free. The carnival wristbands are $30 per day. Parking on-site is $5. Parking is free at Alexander Middle School and a shuttle runs continuously from the school to the park with handicap accessibility as well.