Pumpkins, pony rides, and a giant straw maze welcome families to Blue Grass Nursery and Garden Centre in Rocky View County on Oct. 10 for its 23rd annual Pumpkin Fest.

The fall celebration features pumpkin carving, face painting, hayrides, and a vendor market, along with a giant pumpkin smash.

Beyond the seasonal activities, the event has a charitable purpose: all proceeds support the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $35,000.

For more than two decades, Pumpkin Fest has brought families from Calgary, Airdrie and surrounding communities together to celebrate autumn while supporting children and their families.

A carved pumpkin sits on display at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Pumpkins and gourds fall display at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Visitors gather around pumpkin-carving tables at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Visitors navigate a straw maze at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
A skeleton inside the straw maze at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. 
PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Visitors explore the maze at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. 
PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
A giant pumpkin at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. 
PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • A participant carves a pumpkin at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    A participant carves a pumpkin at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • Pig costume at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    Pig costume at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • Visitors submit pumpkin weight guesses at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    Visitors submit pumpkin weight guesses at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • Bins hold pumpkins and gourds at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    Bins hold pumpkins and gourds at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • A participant tries a game at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    A participant tries a game at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • Vendors at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    Vendors at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • Toys fill a vendor’s table at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    Toys fill a vendor’s table at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • A child rides a pony at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    A child rides a pony at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • Line for balloon art at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    Line for balloon art at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
  • Visitors pose with a mascot at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
    Visitors pose with a mascot at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Horses pull a wagon of visitors at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation booth at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Pumpkin drop at Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF
Blue Grass Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 10, 2026. PHOTO: CASSIE BONDEROFF

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Cassie Bonderoff is a fourth-year Journalism and Digital Media student who really enjoys being able to share people's stories. She has experience in writing, photography, social media, and multimedia storytelling...