“SpiderRoo” claims Pumpkin Race victory

It wouldn’t be October without the Montgomery Village Great Pumpkin Race and Fall Festival. On Saturday, Oct. 9, pumpkins and people once again descended on North Creek Community Center to participate in the area’s most creative fall festival. It was great to be able to offer this event again, given last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions. Colorful decoration, tense racing action, plenty of family fun and pumpkin-themed everything, with the backdrop of music by “The Tolerators” (formerly “45 RPM”) and DJ Big Court, set the mood again this year for the 12th Annual Fall Festival. Families gathered with pumpkin racers in hand to enjoy the festivities and try their luck at racing away with the coveted Pumpkin Racer Trophy.

Each heats had its own set of thrills, whether it was bumping, bouncing off the hay bales or full-on racing down to the wire. But the best part, as always, was the smashing of cheater racers. The most memorable, of course (and symbolic of the feeling of 2020) was the smashing of the Seniors in Action’s “Coronavirus” pumpkin.

In the final heat, the Taylor family’s two entries “Pumpkin Jack Flash” and “Peanut the Squirrel” faced off against the Lewis family’s “SpiderRoo.” All three took off for the finish line with the intention of a clean, no bumping, crashing or pushing heat. But the Taylor family’s pumpkins couldn’t stay away from each other, and got hung up half way down the course. “SpiderRoo” took advantage and sailed right to the finish line, claiming the win.

This is the second year the Lewis family has participated in the Pumpkin Races, making it into the second round of heats in 2019. For 2021, kids Jack and Callie inspired the design, and dad Shaun made sure the pumpkin was heavy and went straight—a strategy that paid off big time. After the race, Callie said that once she saw their competition crash into each other, she knew they had won. The Lewis family said they really enjoyed seeing the creativity and decorations on all the other pumpkins, and they will be back next year to defend the title—with their lucky wheels!

For the rest of the festival, hundreds of residents and community neighbors enjoyed the rides, games and food. It was clear from the number of test runs, pumpkin garage visits and fantastically decorated pumpkins, that competition for this year’s medals and trophy was going to be stiff. There were over 100 pumpkins entered into the race this year, as well as a full slate of VIP racers – enough for two heats!

Before the races started, festival goers had an opportunity to visit with local businesses and organizations, play carnival games, ride the rides, taste the festival food and participate in pumpkin-themed crafts. The test track and racer garage were encompassed in a flurry of activity up to the last minute, with all racers trying to gain the competitive edge—or at least figure out how to roll straight enough to cross the finish line! The last-minute tinkering paid off, as a large number of race heats came down to the wire.

Back by popular demand this year were the beer and wine garden, giving adults a place to taste a beverage with their meal; the balloon launch, with an adjusted target; and the petting zoo, which kept visitors busy before and after their racers were eliminated.

With a full field of racers clamoring for position in the VIP exhibition, Montgomery County Councilmember Sydney Katz’s pumpkin rolled straight for the finish line—again. MVF Board of Directors President Pete Webb’s “George Kittle” was chased by the 6th District Police’s “Police Cruiser”; Senator Nancy King’s “Frog” leapt in front EVP Dave Humpton’s “Elvis Victor Pumpkin” and Delegate Lesley Lopez’s “Pumpkin Spice Latte” who collided; and MVF Board Member Doniele Ayres’ “Bluey” rolled right off the ramp and came to a stop.

In the second VIP race, Georgetown Hill’s “George” took a hard right, but stayed out of harm’s way, while “Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker” made a slow but steady run for the finish. EVP Dave Humpton’s second attempt at victory was slowed by a bump into the wall, followed closely by “George Kittle.” But it was the 6th District Police’s second, the “The Mandalorian,” that took it all right across the line; this is the way.

Following the opening races, resident racers lined up for elimination heat after heat for the next hour and a half, pitting siblings, friends, neighbors and strangers against each other. Amid a plethora of finely decorated, rule-abiding pumpkins lurked a fair number of cheaters, who, once identified, were at the mercy of the crowd and the referee. It didn’t take much crowd convincing to have those whose pumpkins bent the rules eliminated from competition via the referee’s mallet. Several chants of “Smash it! Smash it!” were heard before the final thud of the mallet sent pumpkin seeds flying across the race track to loud cheers from the crowd. Several racers were smashed this year, including those not even attempting to hide, like the MVF Communications Department’s “Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker” made from an actual honeydew melon.

To see the highlights of the event, visit https://youtu.be/GibgqcN35-o.

MVF would like to thank our generous sponsors and participants in the event, including: Montgomery County 6th District Police; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; DJ Big Court; D’s Smokehouse BBQ; Family Support Network; the Frederick Keys; Georgetown Hill Early School; Independence Now; Marieem Caribbean Cuisine; MedStar Family Choice; Mr. Softee; Montgomery Village Animal Hospital; NVR/Ryan Homes; Pop-up Poutine; ServPro of Gaithersburg; SkyPoint FCU; Squeals on Wheels Petting Zoo; TakeFlight; The Tolerators; and True Respite Brewing Company for supporting the event through attendance and volunteerism.

Next year’s Great Pumpkin Race and Fall Festival is sure to bring even more competition and excitement—keep your wheels, or find new ones, and start planning your racer now! The 2022 Great Pumpkin Race and Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8—see you then!