Thank you to everyone who came out for the first-ever Pumpkinfest Walk, Run & Roll event!
Congratulations to all our participants and to our race and costume winners!
Thank you to our costume contest judges, Alanna from Barbells and Baby Bumps and Leslie from Six Pence & Sage Dress and Bridal Boutique. And, a big thank you to Waterford Tim Horton’s for donating the coffee and hot chocolate, as well as The Gibbled Goose, Kerry’s Saint James Street Eatery and Wishbone Brewing Company for contributing to the prizes, and the Shadow Lake & Waterford Heritage Trail volunteers for all the work they do on Waterford’s awesome trails!
Stay tuned for information about the 2023 event.
2022 Event photos
Event details
Join us Sunday, October 16 for a fun filled morning walk, run or roll to celebrate Pumpkinfest—you choose your distance and your pace! Participants are encouraged to wear their most creative, scary or funny halloween costumes for a chance to WIN great prizes!
Registered participants can enjoy hot chocolate or coffee at the finish line and Halloween grab bags will be handed out for children 13 and under.
- Who: runners, walkers and rollers (e.g. strollers, wagons, wheelchairs… but no bikes please) of all skill levels; children 13 and under are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- When: Sunday, October 16 at 9 am; event will start around 9:30 am and wrap up by 10:30 am
- Where: Start on the Waterford Heritage Trail in front of Wishbone Brewery, finish on the trail near the Quilt Junction parking lot
- Distances: choose from 2km OR 6.5km
- Cost: FREE, but donations are welcome!
- Costumes: not required to enter, but we encourage everyone to dress up for a chance to WIN prizes for best costume
- How to register: complete the registration form below. You will also need to sign a waiver the morning of the event. Parents will need to sign a waiver for their children.
Prizes
- Best costume, 13 and under first, second and third place
- Best costume, 14 and over: first, second and third place
- Fastest, child (13 and under) (2km route): first, second and third place
- Fastest, youth (14 to 17) (2km route): first, second and third place
- Fastest, adult (over 18) (2km route): first, second and third place
- Fastest, child (13 and under) (6.5km route): first, second and third place
- Fastest, youth (14 to 17) (6.5km route): first, second and third place
- Fastest, adult (over 18) (6.5km route): first, second and third place
Distances and routes
2 km event route
This is a great distance to see Waterford’s scenic ponds and trail network. You’ll cross the Sunrise Bridge and Sunset Bridge and pass under the historic Black Bridge. We will have volunteers along the way to cheer you on and guide you to the finish line. If you’re a runner, this is a great distance to work on your speed!
- Start on the Waterford Heritage Trail in front of Wishbone Brewery
- Follow the trail west
- Cross the new Sunrise Bridge
- Turn south on the trail at the intersection
- Cross the Sunset Bridge
- Follow the trail east at the intersection
- Continue on the trail
- Finish on the trail near the Quilt Shop
- Join us for a hot chocolate, coffee or water
6.5 km event route
This route takes you through the north end of Waterford’s beautiful trail network and across Black Bridge, one of Norfolk’s amazing places! We will have volunteers along the way to cheer you on and guide you to the finish line.
- Start on the Waterford Heritage Trail in front of Wishbone Brewery
- Follow the trail west
- Cross the new Sunrise Bridge and follow the trail
- At the intersection, turn right, heading north
- Cross Mechanic Street (Concession 8)—there will be volunteers to help you cross safety, but the road will not be blocked off to traffic. Please stop and look both ways before crossing.
- Continue north on the trail
- At the intersection there the trails meet, take a sharp right turn heading south/east
- Continue on the trail
- Cross Robinson Road—there will be volunteers to help you cross safety, but the road will not be blocked off to traffic. Please stop and look both ways before crossing.
- Continue on the trail
- Cross College Street—there will be volunteers to help you cross safety, but the road will not be blocked off to traffic. Please stop and look both ways before crossing.
- Continue on the trail
- Cross Mechanic Street (Concession 8)—there will be volunteers to help you cross safety, but the road will not be blocked off to traffic. Please stop and look both ways before crossing.
- Continue over Black Bridge, be sure to take in the amazing view of the ponds and the town
- Continue on the trail
- At the intersection there the trails meet, take a sharp right turn heading north/west
- Continue on the trail and meeting back up with the trail you started on
- Finish on the trail near the Quilt Shop
- Join us for a hot chocolate, coffee or water
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I bring my dog on the trail with me during the event?
A. While we love dogs, this event is intended for humans only. Dogs are welcome at the start/finish line, and we encourage everyone to use the trails before or after the event.
Q. Can I ride my bike?
A. We ask that participants do not ride bikes for this event to ensure we have enough space for everyone on the trail.
Q. Do I need to register or can I just show up?
A. As this is our first event we would ask all those who would like to participate to register to help us understand the numbers to expect, however, we will not turn away anyone who wants to sign up and will allow day-of registration. Availability of refreshments and Halloween grab bags may be limited for late registrations.
Q. How will my time be tracked?
A. We will have numbered bibs for registered participants and volunteers will be recording finish times for first, second and third-place participants for each age group and distance. This is not a chipped event and we will be relying on the honour system to ensure participants follow the defined course.
Q. When will prizes be handed out?
A. We will be announcing the winners for the best costume before the event starts—likely between 9:15 am and 9:30 am after participants have completed registering, signed their waivers, etc. Prizes for the first fastest finish times will be handed out at the finish line.
Q. What if I take longer than the allotted time?
A. That’s OK, you are welcome to take as long as you would like, however after 10:30 am volunteers will no longer be monitoring the trail or road crossings.
Q. Who will be judging “best costume”?
A. We will have a panel of judges made up of Pumpkinfest and community volunteers.
Q. Could the routes change?
A. If there are changes to the routes or any other details for the event, we will email all participants.
Need more information?
Contact us at webpage@pumpkinfest.com or ask your question on our Facebook page and we’ll post the answer.
Register now!
Please use the form below to register. Select the age category for each participant from the drop-down:
- Child: 0 to 13
- Youth: 14 to 17
- Adult: over 18
All participants will need to complete a waiver (download PDF) at the time of the event. The waiver will be emailed to participants and can be printed at home and brought to the event. Printed copies will also be available at the event.
Parents are responsible to monitor children 13 and under throughout the race.
Parents, please register children under 14 who will be participating, even if they will be in a stroller, wagon, baby holder, etc., as we want to ensure we have enough Halloween grab bags for all children participating.
We can’t wait to see you at the event!