🎃 STOP 2 — SMOKY LAKE, ALBERTA 🎃
One town left before New Year’s — and what a way to kick off the final stretch!
#Smokylake has a reputation for being one of the friendliest towns in Alberta — and after the Pumpkin Festival I experienced, I can tell you that reputation is well-earned.
We came for their signature giant pumpkin festival on the first weekend of October — officially known as the Great White North Pumpkin Fair & Weigh-Off — where growers bring massive produce and compete for bragging rights.
But the real highlight? The giant pumpkin drop — how could you not love an event where a huge gourd drops from a crane just for fun!?
Thousands of people came out to this small town, all in for this celebration of harvest, community, and good, goofy fun. The markets, the laughter, the crowds — it was an unforgettable weekend full of charm and energy. Smoky Lake’s Ukrainian heritage and agricultural roots give it character, pride, and that welcoming vibe that stays with you long after you leave.
