Waiting on news
No 2026 dates yet
The organisers have not posted a 2026 date. 17 October is what their own yearly rule gives, not something they have announced.
Our best guess: Expected Saturday 17 October 2026, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Their site was still showing the 2025 schedule when we checked on 30 September 2026. The municipal road-closure notice that turns up in a search is the 2025 one too, for 18 October, so do not take that as this year's date either.
Check pecpumpkinfest.com for the 2026 announcement ↗We checked on 30 September 2026. Nothing had been posted. Do not book travel around the date above.
What it is
A giant-vegetable weigh-off, pumpkins, squash, cabbage, rutabaga and long gourds, run by the PEC Pumpkin Growers.
The Wellington Parade closes Main Street, and the village puts on a day of activities around it.
2025 was the 28th annual event.
Good to know
- The parade closes Wellington's Main Street. Factor that into any tasting route through the village that day.
- If it does fall on 17 October it lands on the Wellington Community Market's closing day, which would make for a very full morning in one small village.
- Campbell's Orchards and the pumpkin growers up the Loyalist Parkway are the reason the giant pumpkins exist. They are worth the stop whether or not the festival is on.