Get ready for one of Carbondale’s most beloved fall traditions—the Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race! This fun-filled event is your chance to get creative, compete for cash prizes, and raise money for local charities and nonprofit organizations.

Entry is free, and the winner of the free races will take home a $100 grand prize. But honestly, most people just come for the laughs, the creativity, and the joy of watching pumpkins speed down the track.

This year’s featured showdown is the Mayer Branding Grand Prix—a special race with a $10 entry fee and a $250 grand prize. It’s high energy, high stakes, and a whole lot of fun.

We’re honored to welcome Janice Pavelonis, District 95 Superintendent, and Meteorologist Nick Hausen, as our emcees and honorary judges for the event. Also making a thrilling return is our very own three-time NCAA Champion, Jeneva McCall Stevens, armed with the Mallet-O-Justice to serve as our fearless rule enforcer and official pumpkin smasher.

Make sure your pumpkin is race ready! Build the fastest racer you can, or go nuts with the most original design you can think of! Cheaters never prosper, but in this case, watching your cheater pumpkin racer being smashed to smithereens by the Mallet-O-Justice is a pretty rewarding sight and lots of fun for everyone. 

While the races are packed with excitement, the heart of the Pumpkin Race is about giving back. Proceeds from the Grand Prix help support local charities and nonprofits doing meaningful work right here in our community.