Growers pumped for 2022 Kalgan Pumpkin Festival

Reigning pumpkin princess Mariska Upton is ready to defend her title against other dedicated growers at the annual Kalgan Pumpkin Festival this Saturday. The Lower Kalgan Community Association’s pumpkin festival has been running for more than a decade, drawing crowds from across the region for a day of family fun and friendly competition. Competitors will face off in the giant pumpkin weigh-in, while cooks put their skills to the test in the pumpkin soup competition. There will also be live entertainment, market stalls and a sausage sizzle. Six-year-old Mariska was crowned champion in the junior and open categories at last year’s festival, with her 81.5kg whopper. She has been growing pumpkins since before she could walk, with 2022 set to be her fifth year of competition. This year, Mariska has been sharing her wisdom with her younger siblings Aston, 5, and Dhakota, 3, who will be having a crack at the competition for the first time. Mariska’s advice to her siblings and other pumpkin growers was simple: “You have to water it to keep it moist, check on it everyday . . . and don’t stand on them.” Although her pumpkin is not looking as plump this year, with heavy rains making things tricky for growers, Mariska said she was just excited to take part. “It’s not about winning, it’s about going in the competition and having fun,” she said. Kalgan Pumpkin Festival co-ordinator Stacey Murnane said there were 10 giant pumpkins in the running this year. Ms Murnane said the LKCA was eager to welcome the community back to the hall. “It is important to us as it is the goal of the community association to unite the community and introduce new members to each other,” she said. “The pumpkin festival is our main event for the year to engage the community and increase awareness of the organisation.” The Kalgan Pumpkin Festival will be held at the Lower Kalgan Hall from 9am to 2pm on Saturday. Entry is $5 per vehicle.