How a small town in Oregon created a world-famous festival
By Heidi Marx
Parks and recreation professionals know that a successful event can have far-reaching benefits for the community. Special events help establish a strong identity, foster a sense of pride, help us connect with residents through involvement, and attract visitors to an area, bringing positive economic and social impacts.
The Tualatin West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, held in a suburb of Portland Ore., is an example of how one small town created a unique festival experience that brought global visitors and attention. How did this small event that started with a few pumpkins become one of National Geographic’s “7 Best Fall Festivals in the United States” in 15 years? There are six golden rules the Tualatin Parks and Recreation team followed that took this event from just 100 spectators to over 20,000!