October 21, 2014
The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival has been selected as one of three finalists for an Events and Tourism Award in this year’s Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
The annual awards program recognises groups, business, individuals and communities who play a role in enhancing the social, environmental and economic prosperity of rural Queensland.
The Events and Tourism Award recognises community events and tourism projects in regional areas which encourage social, economic and tourism stimulus in their communities; help strengthen pride in a community; and provide opportunities for new experiences, learning and enjoyment.
The Pumpkin Festival was created in 1997 to boost community morale and to celebrate pumpkins, which have been traditionally grown in the area for many years.
It is held every May and is now a well-known national festival.
It has also expanded over the years to include many more pumpkin based competitions including Pumpkin Bowls, Decorated Pumpkins, a Pumpkin Quilt Challenge and the Pumpkin Power Shot Put.
The festival now brings over 14,000 people to Goomeri each year and has been recognised as a significant regional event.
Recently the Festival was also voted number 24 in the RACQ’s “150 Must Do’s” in Queensland.
The winner of the Events and Tourism Award will be announced at a gala dinner on Saturday, November 8, at the Caloundra Events Centre.
The winner will receive $2500 from the Commonwealth Bank and receive a handcrafted glass trophy.
- Related article: Pumpkin Festival Nominated
