Collector Village Pumpkin Festival 2010

On the first Sunday in May, people flock to Collector for the Collector Village Pumpkin Festival. Lynwood has been involved every year since its inception in 2003. We get involved not only because it happens in our back yard, but because we like the idea that our town celebrates something that is grown, can be eaten, and can be used in all manner of creative ways.

This year we had a stall, and it was lovely to see so many people returning to Collector with fond memories of the Lynwood Cafe, but even more heartening to hear how grateful they were that we were still making and selling jams and preserves.

Robbie did a cooking demonstration at the Festival where she churned out a pumpkin chutney and a roasted butternut squash with burnt aubergine and yoghurt.

The biggest deal at the Pumpkin Festival is the Heaviest Pumpkin Competition, and this year we were pleased to see Jim Lumbers, from Lerida Estate, just down the road from us at Collector take out the top prize. Jim, who in his spare time runs a winery that turns out some pretty impressive cool climate wines, has really dedicated the last seven years of his life to winning this competition, and has emerged, without doubt, as the consistently keenest local competitor.

So hats off to Jim for the big win (hot favourite and multiple former winner Ken Ryan had his candidate decimated by a hailstorm in early February), but an even bigger thank you to the Collector Village Pumpkin Festival Committee who turned on not only another terrific festival for the village, but also managed to order up a smashing, clear, crisp, beautiful autumn day.

For more images of the Collector Pumpkin Festival 2010, click here.