WANT some gourd autumn fun and entertainment? Then the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival could be just your piece of pie.
Offering a smashin’, fun-filled day of quirky competitions, markets, live entertainment, demonstration, displays and, of course food – much of it pumpkin inspired – the festival on May 27 is a highlight of the year in the Gympie region, attracting more than 15,000 visitors.
During the 1990s, Goomeri, like many other rural areas, was in a time of prolonged drought and water shortages. Farmers and businesses were doing it tough and morale was at an all-time low.
In 1997 a town meeting was held to discuss ideas for improving morale and the lagging economy. As pumpkins had been traditionally grown in the area, the idea of a pumpkin festival was born, much to the amusement of many naysayers who were forced to eat humble pie – or more correctly pumpkin pie – when the event was an astounding success for the town and the region.
Organisers say this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever with many activities squashed into the program.
There’s everything from from mini pig racing, pumpkin throwing, giant pumpkin competition, vintage cars, whip cracking and baby animals to chainsaw demonstrations, camel rides, pumpkin rolling, non-stop entertainment, talks by celebrity chefs and the street parade.
And there’s no way you’ll go away hungry, with gourmet pumpkin foods, country classics and traditional festival favourites on offer.
Local businesses will have food available, or you can head to the Pumpkin Festival Food Hall in the SES building at Dickinson Park for a barbecue and pumpkin-related foods such as pies and scones.
If you’re in the mood for more traditional country-style fare, the camp kitchen will have in camp stew, damper and billy tea. You’ll find pumpkin sausages in Lions Park, and don’t miss the food and beverage stalls in Dickinson Park.
Most importantly don’t leave without sampling the best-ever pumpkin soup to grace a bowl from the festival’s own secret recipe.
Festival goers are encouraged to turn up early and make a weekend of it. There are pre-festival activities on Friday night and Saturday including barbecue breakfast, twilight markets, wine tasting, concert and dinner dance.
If you go...
Goomeri is on the Burnett Highway about 265km north-west of Brisbane (235km if you take the Burnett Highway between Nanango and Goomeri).
The town provides more than 600 camping and caravan spots at the showgrounds and sports grounds. There is also hotel, motel and bed and breakfast accommodation in town and nearby.
Visitors love the town’s old-world charm, with most of its buildings built during the 1920s-40s. It’s hard to miss the striking town clock, built to commemorate soldiers from the region who served in WWI and WWII.On closer inspection, it can be seen that the numbers on the clock have been replaced by the words Lest We Forget.
DETAILS: 0484-629-424, www.goomeripumpkinfestival.com.au
