News and Upcoming Pumpkinfest Events

Be sure to check back here for all the latest news and media releases.

Pumpkinfest is Proud to Welcome Michael Harrison
August 25, 2025 | 0 comments
As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary our focus is on Family Fun!

That's why our main HEADLINER ACT is on stage Saturday afternoon. Bring the whole family!

Michael Harrison, AGT Ventriloquist, takes the stage at

Port Elgin Pumpkinfest

“BRILLIANT!”

- Simon Cowell, America’s Got Talent

Port Elgin – Canadian AGT Comedy Ventriloquist Michael Harrison will be performing his VENTASTIC show at Pumpkinfest on October 4 at 4:30pm in the big tent!

From America’s Got Talent and Canada’s top ventriloquist, Michael Harrison, has risen to become one of the most booked comedy ventriloquists in the world and one of Disney’s most beloved performers.

An extraordinarily talented ventriloquist, comedian and master showman who combines his many talents into this laugh-out-loud, one-man tour de force. Watch your family and friends get puppeted on stage as he turns ventriloquism upside-down with one-of-a-kind routines. Prepare to be amazed

With 3500+ performances in over 40 countries, he ignites a spark in his family audiences. Whether you’re 4 or 94, there’s something for everyone. His message is simple: Embrace your creativity and chase your dreams with everything you've got! A powerhouse show that has headlined Disney for 20+ years and is guaranteed to entertain. It's Fantastic Ventriloquism, it's VENTASTIC!

Join us for this wonderful family friendly show Saturday afternoon in the big tent!

Website: http://www.funnyguy.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.harrison.12914216

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelrharrison/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trintriloquist

This event is made possible by our cherished partners – Thank you!

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Pumpkinfest Gives Back
December 4, 2020 | 0 comments

Pumpkinfest is proud to announce that we have tallied the donations made at the on-line event in October and have split the donated funds between long time supporters, Breakers Swim Team and The Cobean Crusaders (Tara Boom Childrens Foundation). Pictured above Dave Mensher, President, presents both groups with the cheques.

Pumpkinfest has traditinally supplied a venue to support over 35 local non profit groups with their fundraising efforts, whether contracting them to do much needed jobs, such as working the gates, or allowing them free space to sell products or food for their varius good works. The virtual festival in 2020 was a very different event that didn't allow for the traditional fundraising efforts for some of these groups, so the Pumpkinfest committee decided to add an option to donate throughout the live event. We want to thank everyone that pushed that "donate" button to support our local non-profits!

We also want to congratulate the Port Elgin Lions Club for supporting many of these local organizations through the proceeds from the Pumpkinfest Mega Bingo, and the Port Elgin Rotary Club who supported the Hospice with their Pumpkin Pie sales.

Port Elgn Pumpkinfest, entering it's 35th year, is already planning for the 2021 festival that takes place the weekend before thanksgiving!
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Pumpkinfest Funding Opportunities Give Back Almost $40,000 to the Community Annually
May 30, 2014 | 0 comments
(Port Elgin) – The Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Committee has announced the 2014 service contracts which are available to non-profit and service organizations. Over $8,000 is available to groups who wish to perform a variety of necessary jobs at the event such as admission gates, parking and traffic control, garbage collection, the organization of the Kiddie Karnival and many others.

Lisa Billing, Pumpkinfest Volunteer and Non-Profit Director said she is very excited about her new volunteer role within the organization and can't wait to begin meeting with the groups involved. "It's a lot to learn but with the help of staff, I am confident that I will be able to dedicate myself to ensure all groups' needs and concerns are addressed. This is such a wonderful opportunity for local organizations to not only raise funds, but to increase awareness around their initiatives and projects." said Billing. "Without the support of our community, sponsors, non-profit and service organizations and the hundreds of volunteers, Pumpkinfest would not be the unique and special event it has become. It truly takes an entire community to successfully run a festival of this magnitude and Pumpkinfest is very proud to give back. Through paid service contracts and on-site fundraising opportunities, local non-profit organizations have the opportunity to raise funds and showcase the important work they do to over 50,000 visitors."

This year there are 17 service contracts available, three of which are new to the festival and include; assisting with site set-up, conducting an economic impact intercept survey and providing a food delivery service for the craft show and other vendors.

"Many of the groups and organizations who provide these services come back year after year – some have held their contracts for many years", said Sally Hunt, Pumpkinfest Coordinator. "We try to change up the contracts, or add new opportunities from time to time to allow new groups to partner with the festival. We are always excited when we're approached by a new group interested in participating."

In addition to the service contracts Port Elgin Pumpkinfest also encourages local non-profit and service organizations to come up with creative and unique ways of fundraising at the festival. "This is a fantastic way for local groups to engage tens of thousands of people over one weekend," said Billing. "Although barbeques and raffles are always welcome there is a limit to how many we can have at the event. Added value events such as a Saturday night dance, children's entertainment and games, and car washes are some examples, but all ideas are definitely welcome", said Billing.

Fundraising activities that are sanctioned attractions of the festival are promoted in the Pumpkinfest official marketing material, creating added value and awareness for providers. In exchange the Committee asks for a 15% return of the net proceeds earned from the endeavour. "These amounts paid back to the festival help us offset a portion of the costs incurred by the service contracts we offer," said Hunt.

In 2013 over 40 non-profit and service organizations worked together to raise just under $40,000 for their various projects during the festival and the Committee hopes to see this figure increase in 2014.

If you are part of an organization that wishes to learn more, please contact Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Headquarters at 519-389-3714.
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