Racers compete in big floating pumpkins

WINDSOR, Nova Scotia, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Canadian Thanksgiving Sunday was marked in Nova Scotia with a regatta of giant, floating half-pumpkins racing with paddle-power and motors for glory.

The 10th Annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta in the north-central part of the province drew about 10,000 spectators to Pesaquid Lake to watch 50 contestants vie for top spot, the Halifax Chronicle-Herald reported Monday.

Anthony Cook won the paddling event in his giant half-pumpkin painted to resemble a soccer ball. He dedicated his win to his uncle who won last year's regatta, but was disqualified this year when his pumpkin sank during qualifying events Friday, the report said.

"He told me to get out ahead fast and that's what I did," Cook said. "(And) you need a pumpkin that cuts though the water good -- that's the key."

In the motorized class, Dani Rippey won first place in his ninth year of competing, the report said.

Regatta committee spokeswoman VanEssa Roberts said the committee had bigger plans for next year.

"I want to contact the Guinness World Records and have them come next year," she said. "Our event is not only the first pumpkin regatta ever held in the world, but it's also the largest."