THE GREAT PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF RETURNS FOR ITS 2ND YEAR AT FONDY FALLTOBERFEST

Free Family-Friendly Festival Features 2,000-Pound Pumpkins, a Trebuchet Launch, and a Traditional Biergarten

Saturday, October 10th, from 10am – 6pm at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac.

 

Fond du Lac, Wis. (Sept. 22, 2026) –Fond du Lac Festivals, Inc. (FFI) is thrilled to announce the return of
the Great Pumpkin Weigh-off. This unique event, which showcases 2,000-pound pumpkins and other
giant fruits, will be a featured highlight at Fondy FallToberfest—a celebration of autumn and
Oktoberfest traditions in Fond du Lac. Fusing these two themes together makes Fondy FallToberfest an
original, one-of-a-kind, free, and family-friendly community festival.

 

Growers from across Wisconsin will bring their harvest to compete for the ultimate prize: The Great
Pumpkin Champion Trophy and a first-place payout of $3,000. New this year, FFI introduced a $1,000
bonus for breaking the state record, currently held by Jim Ford for a 2,551-pound pumpkin grown in El
Dorado in 2024. Youth growers are also encouraged to join the action in their own category, where first
place receives a medal and $250.

 

In addition to the giant pumpkins, Fondy FallToberfest offers activities for all ages. Highlights include horse-drawn wagon rides, a Scary Scurry Kids Fun Run (half-mile), a 5K Run/Walk, a community trunk-or-treat, a kids’ costume contest, inflatable axe throwing, and a real trebuchet launching pumpkins into the air.

 

Adults can enjoy traditional Oktoberfest games like Hammerschlägen and Masskrugstemmen. FFI has
also partnered with the Fond du Lac Beer Company to offer a traditional biergarten featuring a “Secret
Beer Menu,” where five exclusive beer or cider options will be tapped for one hour only, while supplies
last. Plentiful food choices will include traditional German-style fare alongside an array of popular local
food trucks.

 

Live entertainment will run throughout the day, kicking off with the Dueling Accordions polka act,
followed by crowd-favorite headliners D. Willy & The Souvenirs and Flannel Revival on the FallToberfest
Stage.

 

“Lakeside Park is a beautiful setting to bring families and individuals together any time of the year, but
autumn is especially stunning,” said Pete Wilke, Executive Director of FFI. “Since fall is such a wonderful time in the Lake Winnebago Region, we want people from all over to experience it. That’s why we created this festival with specific draws for both kids and adults.”

 

 

 

Learn More about Fondy FallToberFest below!