A former Christchurch resident is bringing the power of the pumpkin to Roxburgh.
The first Pumpkin Festival, organised by the Roxburgh Lions Club, is being planned for April 24 next year at the Roxburgh racecourse.
Lions club member Raewyn Baguley said she suggested the festival as an idea for the club's annual fundraiser next year.
It was very popular in Little River and Christchurch, where she came from, she said.
The day would include market stalls, catering, music and entertainment and would be a ''big family day''.
People would be able to bring their pumpkins and enter them into different categories, including ''largest, sportiest, the ugliest and children's''.
It was hoped residents and schools would get involved in the event, as well as those further afield, she said.
Money raised on the day would go towards health and emergency services in the area, including St John, the Roxburgh Fire Brigade, Roxburgh Medical Centre and the Air Otago air ambulance.
To get started, people were encouraged to buy ''Atlantic Giant'' seeds for $1 or a seedling for $3 from Gumnut Creations in Scotland St.
Seeds would be available to buy after Labour weekend next month.
The seeds were given to the club by orchardist and ''pumpkin king'' Darryl Peirce.
Tips and information on how to propagate the seeds and grow them would be given with each purchase. Mr Peirce said seeds had to be propagated around mid-November.
Pumpkin plants liked compost, shelter and a large growth area. Each plant should be eventually thinned of the ''fruits'' so only one or two were left on each plant.
''And talking to them. It's important to talk to them as they grow,'' he said.
