"Smoky Lake, Giant Pumpkin Capital of Alberta" Smoky Lake by Darby2

Smoky Lake Travel Guide: 4 reviews and 33 photos

John Lobay and his winning pumpkin - Smoky Lake

Pumpkin Capital of Alberta

Every October the town of Smoky Lake hosts the Great White North Pumpkin Festival. In addidtion to the big pumpkins there is also a threshing demonstration with an antique steam tractor. Current local Pumpkin champ for Alberta is John Lobay from Smoky Lake with a 751 pounder. Archie Lingi from Kelowna, BC set a new site record in 2001 with a 903.5 pounder.
However, in 2006, Don Crews of Lloydminster set the new Alberta record with a 1029 pound monster....not only that, he had the grand slam...also the biggest squash and biggest watermelon. During the festival the town's population swells from 1200 to more than 6000!

John Lobay's 751 pounder

751 pound pumpkin

1999 saw John smash the Smoky Lake record with this 751 pound pumpkin!

To see the weighoff results for 2001,

http://www.backyardgardener.com/weighoff01.html

Pumpkin carving

Visit the Smoky Lake home page:

Last visit to Smoky Lake: Oct 2006
Intro Updated Jul 26, 2007
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Reviews (3)

The 1924 Case Tractor Local Customs (2)

The threshing bee at the Smoky Lake Museum more travel advice

Threshing grain the old way - Smoky Lake

Threshing demonstration Local Customs (2)

Tha annual pumpkin fest also includes a threshing demonstration with this steam tractor. This year's 2003 weighoff is... more travel advice

Pumpkins and squash awaiting the weighoff - Smoky Lake

Pumpkins and squash! Favorites (1)

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Comments (15)

PrairieGirl2 Nov 25, 2009 at 10:37 PM Report Abuse

Thank you very much for the fabulous pics of Alberta, and especially Smoky Lake, and Wetaskiwin. How many times I passed by the Barich Ukrainian Orthodox church on my way to Grandmas.
hunterV Jan 17, 2009 at 11:04 PM Report Abuse

Hi, Dave! It must be an amazing festival with all those huge pumpkins...
tini58de Mar 27, 2005 at 1:53 PM Report Abuse

This is a fun page - Happy Easter!
roz.van Jul 24, 2004 at 7:16 AM Report Abuse

got attracted to this page by the name :o) wouldn't like to see one of those pumpkins in a dark ally!! lol
Dumpymotel Jul 17, 2004 at 8:09 AM Report Abuse

Damn.. That pumpkin is as big as one of those fat ladies on a Krispy Kreme Donut Calender...
jenniferchin Sep 19, 2003 at 9:28 PM Report Abuse

oh my GAWDDDDD... those are HUGE !!! :-)
keeweechic Sep 19, 2003 at 9:22 PM Report Abuse

Damm, those are big pumpkins.:-) This looks like a real cool festival and I love those old Steam tractors... not sure I'd like to sample those big'uns..:-)
BerniShand Sep 14, 2003 at 2:01 PM Report Abuse

the pumpkins remind me of parachutes..... great pictures again
Renee44 Feb 14, 2003 at 7:55 PM Report Abuse

Wow! I'm going to make pumpkin soup now... ;p
kenHuocj Feb 10, 2003 at 4:42 AM Report Abuse

them pumpkins sure are HUGE ;-)))