The Giant Pumpkin Festival returns Saturday with free family activities, contests and one of the community’s most unusual races.

The day begins with a free children’s fun run at 9:45am. Festival activities start at 10 and include bounce houses, children’s games, craft vendors, food trucks and live music.

Organizers Katie Lemay and Wendy Marie say families can participate in nearly everything without opening their wallets.

The festival will also feature a pie-eating contest, pumpkin-carving contest and the annual pumpkin-seed-spitting competition.

The main attraction begins at 2, when competitors climb inside hollowed-out giant pumpkins and attempt to race them across the water.

Four pumpkins are expected to compete this year, including a new entry from Breadsmith.

Festival winners will be announced at 2:30pm.

Organizers say the event was designed to provide affordable entertainment for families throughout the area.

The festival is expected to continue through light rain, although bounce houses and other activities could be affected by severe weather or lightning.

The Giant Pumpkin Festival runs Saturday from 9:45 until approximately 2:30 in Menominee.

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