The Great Coupeville Pumpkin Race: A Thrilling Finale to Practically Magic
Rev up your gourds and get ready for a rollicking good time at The Great Coupeville Pumpkin Race! This high-energy event is the grand finale of Practically Magic, bringing together locals and visitors alike for an afternoon of fun, competition, and a touch of Halloween magic in historic Coupeville, WA—the iconic filming location of Practical Magic.
Event Details:
Date & Time: Sunday, October 27th at 2:00 PM
Location: NW Coveland Street by Town Park, Coupeville
Who Can Enter: All ages! Whether you’re a pumpkin racing veteran or a first-timer, everyone is welcome to join in the fun.
This family-friendly event is the perfect way to cap off the nostalgic, witchy Practically Magic festival. Bring your best pumpkin, your competitive spirit, and be prepared for an afternoon of laughter and surprises. Will your pumpkin be crowned the Iron Gourd champion, or will it revel in Pumpkin Pandemonium? There’s only one way to find out—race on down to The Great Coupeville Pumpkin Race and join the fun!
Pumpkin Racer Construction:
Pumpkin Power: Each racer must be built using a single pumpkin or squash, whole or carved, in any shape or size.
Axles & Wheels: The racer must use two axles that are independent of each other, and pass through the pumpkin. Wheels of any size or type may be used.
No Pre-built Bases: Using prefabricated bases like skateboards, toy cars, strollers, or similar structures is strictly prohibited.
Gravity Powered Only: The racer must rely solely on gravity for propulsion. No motors, batteries, fans, explosives, pyrotechnics, or pushing are allowed.
Sportsmanship:
Cheating: Honesty and fair play are expected. Cheating will not be tolerated. Disqualified racer will forfeit their heat.
Creativity: Design and build your racer from a single pumpkin. Whole or carved, decorate your racer however you like. Be creative!
Catastrophic Collisions: Most pumpkin racers will not survive the day intact. Bumping and collisions are part of the race!
Kindness First: It’s easy to get carried away and take this all too seriously. Be kind to your neighbors, and have fun!
Pumpkin Racing Categories:
Iron Gourd: For the serious contenders, this category is all about precision and speed. Follow the official Pumpkin Race rules to the letter, and see if your pumpkin has what it takes to roll to victory. The Grim Reaper will be on hand to ensure that all pumpkins meet the Iron Gourd standards.
Pumpkin Pandemonium: Anything goes in this wild and wacky category! If your pumpkin is more about fun than following the rules, this is the race for you. Expect creative, chaotic, and downright hilarious pumpkin designs.
Judging:
Fastest Pumpkin: The winner will be the pumpkin racer who completes the race track in the fastest time during the final round.
Most Creative Design: A separate panel of judges will evaluate all racers based on creativity, theme, and overall design.
Final Say: The Race Officials have the final say on eligibility, winners, and rule interpretations.
Race Procedures:
Registration: All racers must register before the race. Registration coming soon.
Inspection: Prior to the race, all pumpkin racers will be inspected to ensure compliance with the rules. Racers not meeting the guidelines will be placed in the “Pandemonium” category.
Race Heats: Races will be conducted in heats with two racers competing at a time. The winner of each heat will advance to the next round.
Fair Start: Race officials will ensure a fair start with no shoving, flicking, or early release.
Stuck Pumpkins: During the race, one person from each team may re-adjust their racer if it gets stuck on the hay bales, but cannot move the pumpkin to another location, only rotate it for continued rolling.
Additional Considerations:
Participants are encouraged to wear proper clothing and footwear for the event.
All participants are responsible for cleaning up any debris created by their pumpkin racer.
The race organizers reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.
