I was hoping for some good returns. I got a lot of pumpkins, but they were all green. Unstable October weather could be the reason that pumpkin festivals haven't caught on in Western Canada like they have in Eastern Canada and the United States, said Linda Christensen of Linda's Market Gardens of Smoky Lake, Alta. Northern Alberta is usually guaranteed a killing frost before the end of September. Frost-free weather until the end of October is unheard of.
Weather is a real hindrance.
She also grows cabbage, cucumbers, peas and carrots. Pumpkins have been a drawing card to Smoky Lake, which has billed itself as the pumpkin capital. In its first year, the festival drew 50 people to the curling rink. Now, almost 7,000 people come to Smoky Lake for pumpkin golf, giant pumpkin contests and pumpkin carving competitions. It's really a great event for a small town.