Pumpkins Ahoy!

As often happens this time of year, the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte has sucked all the oxygen out of the seasonal pumpkin-related discourse in the public sphere. But unlike the legacy media, the Drink Wisconsinbly Week in Review isn’t going to ignore the upcoming Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Madison.

The annual event on Lake Mendota, put on by the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences’ Goldman lab, is back for its 21st installment at the Memorial Union Terrace. Participants take to the water and paddle giant hollowed-out pumpkins to victory. And that seems to be the extent of it. There are no rules and no prizes. The thrill of competition is the only reward.

If this kind of folly piques your interest, you may be asking, “What do I need to know about rowing a hollowed-out pumpkin to participate?”

Good news! There’s no previous pumpkin-piloting experience required if you want to get in the mix. A willingness to get wet — from either water or pumpkin goo — seems to be the only barrier to entry. So, if you don’t mind spending the rest of the day smelling like a jack-o’-lantern, it could be your time to shine.

Sloshing around in a giant gourd isn’t your thing? You can also just watch. But that’s not without its risks either. Overloaded docks have collapsed on two separate occasions during past regattas. Hopefully, the botanists collaborated with the engineering department to get the weight restrictions ironed out by now, though.

The action starts on Saturday, October 3rd at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Union Terrace. The event is free and open to the public. You’ll need to check with individual bars on State Street for their specific policy on admitting patrons covered in orange pulp and seeds.