What is the World Famous Pumpkin Race?
A fun-spirited festival like no other! The highlight of the Pumpkin Race is a unique side-by-side single elimination race featuring handcrafted, decorated Pumpkin Racers in a funky, hilarious, suspenseful, and dramatic display of American ingenuity. Excitement builds as Pumpkin Racers battle head-to-head for the coveted Pumpkin Race Championship Trophy. 

What are Pumpkin Racers?
Pumpkin Racers are made to conform (more or less) to the Official World Famous Pumpkin Race Rules (see Rules Tab). The Official Rules state in part that a Pumpkin Racers must be made from a pumpkin with two independent axels and wheels attached. Pumpkin Racers come in all different shapes, sizes and speeds. Some are elaborately decorated and ready to race. Others appear as if they can't make it down the race track at all. You never know what's going to happen or who the winner will be. There are always a few mighty Pumpkin Racer underdogs who somehow manage to come up with a victory over a seemingly superior opponent. Despite their different appearances, all Pumpkin Racers (except Cheaters!) are given an equal opportunity to participate and advance toward victory.

Does anyone ever cheat?
In a word - Yes. However, our vigilant Race Officials make sure everyone plays by the rules - fair and square. If a Race Official determines that a Pumpkin Racer is in violation the Official World Famous Pumpkin Race Rules it is immediately declared a Cheater Pumpkin! The penalty for racing a Cheater Pumpkin is instant destruction by the Mallet-O-Justice (a large wooden mallet) administered by the Head Race Official. It is important to note that several race entrants routinely enter "Cheater Pumpkins" with full knowledge that their Pumpkin Racer will be smashed to bits for all to see and cheer. To the best of our knowledge the Head Race Official has never smashed a person's Pumpkin Racer without their permission!

What is the Pumpkin Pit Crew?
Pumpkin Pit crew was established to help attendees quickly and easily experience the thrill of building a pumpkin racer, and getting ready to race on the main track.  Most first-time attendees did not bring a finished pumpkin racer to the event and that's where the pumpkin geniuses come in. This is the place to go to make one from scratch with help from the pit crew!

What is the Tinker Zone?
The Tinker Zone contains all of the necessary tools, accessories, (and encouragement!) to make some fine tune adjustments and finish and decorate your pumpkin racer. (Stock items include wheels, axels, tools and assorted decoration options.) 

Need a Pumpkin Racer?

The Official City of Manhattan Beach World Famous Pumpkin Race Kits will be available for purchase starting October 5th at the Hometown Fair. There after, kits will be available at Manhattan Beach City Hall, in the Parks and Recreation Department (1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) while supplies last! Kits are $35 before the event and $40 on the day of the event.

On the day of the event, feel free to stop by the Pit Row Booth for assistance, decorations, and accessories if you are purchasing official kits. You may also make you own Pumpkin Racer. Please see the Rules tab for more information.

TURBO PASS
Passes will be available online October 7, 2024 at $5 per pass and good for two pumpkin entries. By signing up for a Turbo Pass, you'll have timed access to the Pumpkin Race Turbo Pass line! Check-in before your allotted time slot to grab your pass, then race your pumpkin during your designated Turbo Pass time. Please keep in mind, your Pumpkin Race Turbo Pass will become invalid after the time you signed up for has passed.

Turbo Passes are NOT needed to participate in the Pumpkin Race event. You may still bring your Pumpkin Racer to race in the Pumpkin Race but you will have to wait inline for your turn. Be sure to check the Schedule of Events tab to see estimated racing times (subject to change).

Schedule of Events (approximate times only and subject to change)*
Pumpkin Race festival is open from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

If time permits late racers may be allowed to race for time for fun or may be allowed to race other late racers for a spot in a qualifier (if time permits and without interrupting the flow of the races).

Festival Tips

• Bring the family and you are welcome to wear a costume! 

• Visit the Pumpkin Pit Crew for Pumpkin Racer tips and tune-ups.

• Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

The Official Pumpkin Race Rules have been established to promote fair play and inspire good old-fashioned American ingenuity.

Pumpkin Race Kits
You can purchase the official Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race Kit at City Hall in the Parks and Recreation Department, 1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach. Kits can also be purchased in Pumpkin Race Land on the day of the event (upper Pier Parking Lot - South).

General Rules and Regulations
All participants must design and race their Pumpkin Racers according to these few important rules to ensure that the event is fun and fair for everyone.

1. No pushing or “helping” your Pumpkin Racer on the starting line. Set it up in position then….Hands up!
2. All races are single elimination.
3. Pumpkin Racer wins when their wheels cross the finish line.
4. The Referees’ decision is final and if there is any controversy the head referee may have a race off between the Pumpkin Racers in question or all racers in the round.
5. Craft your Pumpkin Racer using a single pumpkin.
6. Pumpkin Racers must have two independent axles through the body of the pumpkin and the wheels must be attached to the axles.
7. Maximum wheel diameter 12 inches. (Wheels larger than 12” in diameter may race for time solo (only if it is safe and time permits) and will not be eligible for a trophy.
8. Do not attach your pumpkin onto a prefabricated chassis of any kind (skateboard, stroller, Tonka Truck, etc.)
9. NO SHARP OBJECTS, EXPLOSIVES or PYROTECHNICS.
10. NO CHEATING. Our Race Officials have a keen eye and the Mallet-O-Justice ready to bring any Cheater Pumpkin down! If you want to make a Cheater Pumpkin on purpose because you want to see the Mallet-O-Justice come down on your creation, please see below.
11. Maximum axle length is 18”.
12. No bumper or protective cage-like structure to protect racer.
13. No fabricated or prefabricated chassis of any kind nor attachments to stabilize axles (tension rods, welded rods, etc.). Axles may not connect to each other in any way.
    1. Plastic zip ties are the only allowed item to be used on an axle for support/stabilization. Zip ties will be available at Pumpkin Kit Row while supplies last.

Acceptable Pumpkin Racers
Two independent axles running through the body of the pumpkin that do not connect to each other in any way		Still two independent axles running through the pumpkin with a different wheel configuration
Unacceptable Pumpkin Racers
No chassis (constructed or prefabricated); Axles may not connect to each other	No protective or cage-like structure around the Pumpkin Racer	Pumpkin Racers may only have two axles, they must be independent and cannot connect	No chassis (constructed or prefabricated); Axles may not connect to each other

Cheater Pumpkins
Any pumpkin that is caught cheating on purpose (wink, wink) will be smashed! Before any pumpkin is smashed the head referee will check with mom or dad to make sure that pumpkin is OK to be smashed. We know how hard you worked on them.

Tips from the Pumpkin Race Pros

1. Be sure to read the Official Rules (above) to understand how to build a "legal" Pumpkin Racer.
2. A bigger or heavier Pumpkin Racer is not necessarily a faster Pumpkin Racer. Rarely does the biggest pumpkin win.
3. The best way to build a fast Pumpkin Racer is to make sure the axles are parallel so it will roll straight down the track. Many participants are eliminated because their Pumpkin Racer veers into the side wall before crossing the finish line.
4. Check your axles to make sure they are parallel before every race.
5. Make sure all of your wheels spin freely
6. Be sure your Pumpkin Racer has enough ground clearance! The race takes place on a track with bumps and dips. Make sure your Pumpkin Racer is high enough to clear them.
7. Have fun making your Pumpkin Racer! Pick a theme and be creative. Often, the crowd favorites are the most fun and creative ones. If you can't win, then lose with style!
8. Be sure to visit the Tinker Zone at the event for more expert tips and tune-ups with your pumpkins.
9. Be on time for your rounds!
   1. If time permits late racers may be allowed to race for time for fun or may be allowed to race other late racers for a spot in a qualifier (if time permits and without interrupting the flow of the races).
10. Listen for announcements.
11. Have Fun!

The World Famous Pumpkin Race was created in Manhattan Beach on Halloween Eve in 1990 by Karl Rogers, Michael Aaker and John Holliday. They invented the Pumpkin Racer design and developed the Pumpkin Race format for guests attending Karl's birthday party.  

"…the Pumpkin Race embodies traditional American values such as ingenuity, creativity, equality, fairness and diversity."

The fun and quirky event was such a hit with their friends that they insisted that they run the race again the following year, and a new American tradition was born. Now the World Famous Pumpkin Race has become a must-attend annual tradition for thousands of residents in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

In 2007, with invaluable leadership from Idris Al-Oboudi, Recreation Services Manager in the City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department, the World Famous Pumpkin Race was awarded the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Special Event of the Year award and the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) Award of Distinction. Over 8,500 area residents attended the Pumpkin Race in 2008 at its new location on Manhattan Beach Boulevard at the base of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Over the years, the World Famous Pumpkin Race has become a cherished hometown event that has garnered the attention of several local and national television news networks. It was even featured in an episode of Home Improvement starring Tim Allen. In 2004, Time Warner Cable produced and aired a documentary about the event. The Travel Channel also produced a documentary about the event.

The World Famous Pumpkin Race has rekindled a sense of good old-fashioned family fun for our own families and for hundreds of other families and friends who attend the race each year. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, teens, and younger siblings can all be seen working together as they build their very own Pumpkin RaceCar and then cheer it on to victory. After a loss, families and friends gather to support one another and vow to return the following year with an even better Pumpkin RaceCar!

In addition to enhancing a sense of family and community, the World Famous Pumpkin Race embodies other traditional American values such as ingenuity, creativity, equality, fairness and diversity. People of all ages and abilities enjoy the thrill of participating in the race, the old fashioned family fun, the community spirit that is shared by all who attend. There is a keen spirit of teamwork and competition among the more advanced Pumpkin RaceCar builders that often results in dramatic races that get the crowd roaring. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to enter the race as the event is much more thrilling and light-hearted than it is competitive.

Support and enthusiasm for the World Famous Pumpkin Race has grown beyond our wildest dreams.

We’ll see you at the Pumpkin Races!

Friendship Walk and Pumpkin Race Street Closure Map (PDF)