Oregon’s giant pumpkin growers and racers reflect on a busy season

Think Out Loud

At the annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, boaters attempt to cross a watercourse in Tualatin using only a giant pumpkin as their vessel. The regatta will happen on Sunday.
Jim Sherwood is an extreme gardener and one of the founders of the festival. He recently won the National Pumpkin Weigh Off in California by growing a nearly 2,500-pound pumpkin.

Gourd grower Gary Kristensen has competed in the regatta since 2013. Earlier this month, he attempted to break a Guinness world record by paddling a pumpkin nearly 46 miles along the Columbia River.

Sherwood and Kristensen join us to share more on the regatta, pumpkin paddling and what it’s like to grow these giants.