The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race

The Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast Presents: The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race. Registration at 1:00pm-1:45pm, first heat at 2pm. No entry fee, win prize money! Costume Parade, Pumpkin Races ($100 grand prize), and Mayer Branding Grand Prix ($10 entry fee, $250 grand prize). Build your own racer from a pumpkin and join us at the Mill Street Underpass for some spooky-fast fun for all ages! Thanks to our sponsors!

10/24/2026
2pm (Register from 1pm–1:45pm)

The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race is a fun, family-friendly fall tradition where participants transform pumpkins into creative racers and send them speeding down the track in downtown Carbondale. Open to children, individuals and families, the event features free races, cash prizes, costumes and plenty of laughs—including the crowd-favorite “Mallet-O-Justice” for pumpkin racers that don’t follow the rules. Part of the annual Carbondale Halloween celebration, the Pumpkin Race brings the community together while raising funds for SI Reads and the Science Center. 


Extra Information: Rules, how-to build a pumpkin racer and FAQ’s are all on the website. Event is free with the exception of the Grand Prix race ($10)

Location: Mill St. Underpass, Carbondale, IL (Rain location: Carbondale Park District - Lakeland Center, 925 S. Giant City Road)

Ticket Information: Onsite, day of race registration is also available.

facebook event page visit website Registration Link

Sponsorship Opportunities

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