Teulon Ag Society celebrating 100 years on Sept. 21
Teulon Pumkinfest offers a jam-packed day of fun, reminiscing, and shopping for all ages, and this year, it is celebrating a special milestone.
The popular community event will celebrate the Teulon Ag Society’s 100th anniversary at the Teulon Rockwood Centennial Hall on Sept. 21.
In 1924, the Teulon and District Agricultural Society was created to unite farmers in the community.
“The Ag Society was a way for farmers to come together and share their knowledge with each other,” explained Teulon Pumpkinfest organizer Darci Loehmer.
“Pumpkinfest is a fall festival celebrating our rural roots, celebrating our harvest,” said Loehmer.
Each year, Pumpkinfest draws thousands of visitors across the province. Loehmer explained that the Ag Society has been hosting the festival for over thirty years, marking it as a “small-town tradition.”
The Teulon Ag Society is happy to host the yearly festival as they know it positively impacts the town.
“(We want) to give the community a wonderful experience and to have memories be made,” said Loehmer.
You can expect many of your favourite events to be on Teulon’s 31st Pumpkinfest schedule.
Saturday morning starts with a delicious pancake breakfast hosted by the Teulon Lion’s Club. For $6, you can indulge in a pancake and sausage breakfast to get you ready for a day of fall-themed fun.
The famous Largest Pumpkin Weigh-Off, hosted at the Charison’s Turkey Hatchery Grandstand, starts at 10:30 a.m. and anyone with a large gourd is welcome to enter.
“We have huge pumpkins that come from all over Manitoba,” explained Loehmer.
Even the youngest of family members have a chance to be honoured at Teulon Pumpkinfest. If you have a baby under 24 months old, try your luck to see if your child can gain the title of Cutest Baby. Judging for the Cutest Baby Contest begins at 12:15 p.m. at the Red River Co-op Mainstage. To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Teulon Ag Society, notable dignitaries will bring greetings and present awards to acknowledge the centennial celebration.
Registration for the Ag Fair takes place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. This year’s Ag Fair features 45 categories, including fall arrangements, vegetables, canning, photography, multiple pumpkin-related competitions and more. Judging will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by public viewing.
Several new events will be making their Teulon Pumpkinfest debut this year.
“In honour of the 100th anniversary, we have added a heirloom category to the fair competition,” Loehmer said.
She explained that the fair competition has been a popular event at the Pumpkinfest for many years and that all items entered must be new.
“This year, we have opened it up to see if anyone will enter something made in the past. Like Grandma’s old quilt, wedding gowns, beautiful sweaters that someone’s Grandma would knit… we want to honour the past.”
If you are looking to enter Charison’s Turkey Hatchery Pumpkin Weigh-Off this year, you can register and drop off your pumpkins Friday evening or Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
The largest pumpkin competition awards $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $300 for third place.
The Teulon Pumpkinfest is also excited to host two new and local artisan demonstrations this year.
“Jen Sonnenberg, who won the Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, will be doing live clay demonstrations and will be letting people throw if they wish. LaVerne Tucker from Last Dance Ranch will be doing a looming demonstration,” said Loehmer.
She added that Tucker will work on a 100-year-old loom when she holds her demonstration.
The Access Tent, located in the Teulon Elementary School playground, will have activities for the children, including crafts and activities all day. She also added that there is a petting zoo for the family to enjoy.
If you want to shop, the Teulon Pumpkinfest will host its Farmer’s Market again this year. There will be a large array of handmade items for sale. The Lavallee Pumpkin Farm will also be open and ready to sell pumpkins of all shapes, colours and sizes.
The Pumpkinfest also has you covered if you want a bite to eat. The Lion’s Canteen will serve their mealtime favourites inside the Hall or you can stop by one of the food trucks near the grandstand to satisfy your hunger.
The annual fall festival will also have entertainment for everyone to enjoy.
“We have three different ethnic groups coming to perform,” added Loehmer.
Fubuki Daiko, a Japanese drumming group, multiple Ukrainian dance groups and the Flying Lion Dance Troupe, a Chinese dance group, will all grace the Main Stage.
“It’s a little taste of Folklorama right here in our town celebrating diversity and culture,” Loehmer said.
Lori Benn and Garreth McNichol-Briggs will also bring their local talent on Saturday morning.
Pumpkinfest’s entertainment will end with an exciting circus act with Sarah Teakle. She will entertain the audience with her eye-catching circus tricks.
Teulon Pumpkinfest runs rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather.
Loehmer is looking forward to this year’s festival as she knows there is endless fun to be had.
“There is something for everybody to enjoy. Every generation can come together and celebrate the day.”
Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family and covers most of the events hosted by the Teulon Ag Society. Additional fees may be required for external vendors.
For more information about Teulon Pumpkinfest, including a full schedule, visit www.teulonpumpkinfest.com
