June 1, 2016
The crowds that rolled up for Goomeri’s annual Pumpkin Festival at the weekend were bigger than ever; in fact, at the top of Policeman’s Hill, you could say they were a little bit squashed!
The fact that an event which is based around the simple concept of rolling pumpkins down a very steep hill can still draw thousands of spectators after 20 years is a testament to the dedication and skill of the organisers.
Some attendees – like the now-famous Pumpkings from Brisbane – come back year after year to toss pumpkins, bowl pumpkins and, most importantly, roll pumpkins.
Senior Constable Deb Wruck, from Goomeri police, said the crowd was estimated to be between 12,000 and 15,000 people.
Various officials that southburnett.com.au spoke to on Sunday all agreed that the 2016 crowd was the largest they had seen in years.
The trademarked Great Australian Pumpkin Roll attracted entries from 355 adults and 179 children. That’s a whole lot of pumpkins rolling, tumbling and smashing into gutters.
In fact, there were so many entries that organisers at one stage feared they wouldn’t get through all the rolls before the Burnett Highway had to be reopened to traffic.
(What other country would block a major national highway to allow people to have fun with vegetables?)
The street parade in the morning also attracted a good crowd and ATMs quickly ran out of cash.
Market stalls lined the highway and back street, while Dickinson Park was also a hive of activity throughout the day.
There were also plenty of pumpkin-themed attractions, including cooking demonstrations, carved pumpkins and pumpkin displays.
Related articles:
- Goomeri Shows How It’s Done (2015)
- Goomeri’s Pumpkins Hit The Spot (2014)
- Goomeri’s On A Roll (2013)
- Crowds Bowled Over By Festival Fun (2012)
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Pumpkin Festival Results
Ergon Energy Great Australian Pumpkin Roll™
Adult
1. Scott Lossens, Mango Hill
2. Trevor Schafferius, Redland Bay
Juvenile
1. Clover Youngman, Sandgate
2. Cody Bell, Murgon
$1000 Lucky Spot Winner
The Lucky Spot was not won
Pumpkin Power Shot Put
Open Men: Carl Roberts, Brisbane 18.39m
Open Women: Macy Brockhurst, Sunshine Coast 12.65m
Mixed Juvenile: Giovannah Okesene, Kingaroy 10.38m
Pumpkin Pull
1. Flaming Manglers 20.65 secs
2. Take it to the Panamax 25.06 secs
Pumpkin Bowls
Brock Spicer, Nambour
Giant Pumpkin Competition
Des Miller 76.5kg
Pumpkin Pageant
Open
1. Russell Nilson, Gold Coast
2. Maree, Gympie
Juvenile
1. Eli Richards, Goomeri
2. Renee Gillard, Coolum Beach
Whipcracking Competition
9 – 12 yrs
1. Pita Tidmarsh
2. Milly Airs
3. Casey Springhall
3 – 16 yrs
1. Gabby Wooler
2. Isla Airs
17 & over
1. Colin Enbacher
2. Jon Kotsun
Decorated Pumpkin Competition
Prep – Year 2
1. Stacey Thompson
2. Hannah Dascombe, Goomeri
3. Eli Richards, Tansey
Years 3 – 5
1. Emily Thompson
2. Kayla Dascombe, Goomeri; and Connor Richards, Tansey
3. Ebony Dean, Bundaberg; Sasha Willemse, Brisbane; and Maddeson Richards, Tansey
Years 6 & 7
1. Renee Gillard, Coolum Beach
2. Carissa Dascombe, Goomeri
3. Renee Gillard, Coolum Beach
Pumpkin Mash Cash Raffle $1000: Jenny Love
Visitor Registration Prize: Brian & Lea Walker, Kilcoy
Sports Ground Camping Lucky Spot: John Baldock, Loganholme
Dinner Dance Lucky Door Prize: Roslyn Poacher
Quilt Raffle: Trish McIntosh, Goomeri
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Pumpkin Festival Parade
