The Naperville Pumpkin Race is BACK!

Join us in person at Rotary Hill on October 28th or purchase your own pumpkin race kit and host your own backyard race!

The Naperville Pumpkin Race is BACK!

Join us in person at Rotary Hill on October 28th or purchase your own pumpkin race kit and host your own backyard race!

Event Details

Purchase Pumpkin Race Kits

How-to Assemble Your Pumpkin Racer

Pumpkin Race Team-Building

Event Sponsors

Event Details

Purchase Pumpkin Race Kits

How-to Assemble Your Pumpkin Racer

Pumpkin Race Team-Building

Event Sponsors

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Date: Saturday, October 28th, 2023

Location: Rotary Hill Park in Downtown Naperville by Millennium Carillon

*Parking for the event is available across the street at Naperville Central High School*

12:00 PM – Event Begins and Registration Opens
12:30 PM – Turning Pointe Student Racing Commences*
1:00 – 2:30 PM – Public Qualifying Races
2:30 – 2:45 PM – Costume Contest on Main Stage and Pumpkin Decor Contest at Award Showcase
2:45 – 3:15 PM – Spotlight Business Races
3:15 – 3:30 PM – Quarterfinals
3:30 – 4:00 PM – Semi-Finals to the Championship Race

Pumpkin Pit Row will close at 3 PM.
All event times are subject to change, be sure to pay attention and stay near the announcers so you don’t miss your event!

*Races during this time frame are for Turning Pointe students only*

Pumpkin Race FAQs

How do I put my racer together?

Let our Pumpkin Pit row help you out! Bring your pumpkin and kit to the race and let us assemble it for you!

What if I don't have a kit or a pumpkin?

No worries! We will have kits on-site for sale and pumpkins (while supplies last)

What if I only have a plain pumpkin?

Also located at Pit row is our pumpkin decorating tent full of quick things that you can use to decorate your pumpkin!

What are the costume contest details?

The costume contest is broken into age groups and will take place around 2:30 PM on the main track after qualifying races. 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16+

How about the pumpkin decorating contest?

This will also take place after qualifying races at the Award Showcase! You will drop off your pumpkin after your qualifying race is done and our judges will start their deliberation around 2:30 pm

Costume Contest

Pumpkin Racer Decor Contest

Food-trucks

Pinot’s Palette free fall painting

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Date: Saturday, October 28th, 2023

Location: Rotary Hill Park in Downtown Naperville by Millennium Carillon

*Parking for the event is available across the street at Naperville Central High School*

12:00 PM – Event Begins and Registration Opens
12:30 PM – Turning Pointe Student Racing Commences*
1:00 – 2:30 PM – Public Qualifying Races
2:30 – 2:45 PM – Costume Contest on Main Stage and Pumpkin Decor Contest at Award Showcase
2:45 – 3:15 PM – Spotlight Business Races
3:15 – 3:30 PM – Quarterfinals
3:30 – 4:00 PM – Semi-Finals to the Championship Race

Pumpkin Pit Row will close at 3 PM.
All event times are subject to change, be sure to pay attention and stay near the announcers so you don’t miss your event!

*Races during this time frame is for Turning Pointe students only*

Pumpkin Race FAQs

How do I put my racer together?

Let our Pumpkin Pit row help you out! Bring your pumpkin and kit to the race and let us assemble it for you!

What if I don't have a kit or a pumpkin?

No worries! We will have kits on-site for sale and pumpkins (while supplies last)

What if I only have a plain pumpkin?

Also located at Pit row is our pumpkin decorating tent full of quick things that you can use to decorate your pumpkin!

What are the costume contest details?

The costume contest is broken into age groups and will take place around 2:30 PM on the main track after qualifying races. 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16+

How about the pumpkin decorating contest?

This will also take place after qualifying races at the Award Showcase! You will drop off your pumpkin after your qualifying race is done and our judges will start their deliberation around 2:30 pm

Costume Contest

Pumpkin Racer Decor Contest

Food-trucks

Pinot’s Palette free fall painting

What is the Naperville Pumpkin Race?

Friends of all ages and abilities are invited to create their own Pumpkin Racer in the Annual Naperville Pumpkin Race. Race in a unique side-by-side single elimination race in a funky, hilarious, suspenseful, and dramatic display of American ingenuity. Excitement builds as Pumpkin Racers battle head-to-head for the coveted Pumpkin Race Championship Trophy. We also award other prizes for Best Decorations, and best costume.

Purchase Pumpkin Race Kits

When you purchase the Pumpkin Race Kits online we will ship them to you so you can run your own pumpkin race or join us at this year’s race! Each kit is assembled by our students at Turning Pointe.

What Comes in the Pumpkin Race Kit?

Order Your Kit Today

ATTENTION: If shipping to the state of California, please allow 8 days for shipping. If you require expedited shipping please call Barb at 630-615-6033.

Purchase Pumpkin Race Kits

When you purchase the Pumpkin Race Kits online we will ship them to you so you can run your own pumpkin race or join us at this year’s race! Each kit is assembled by our students at Turning Pointe.

What Comes in the Pumpkin Race Kit?

Order Your Kit Today

ATTENTION: If shipping to the state of California, please allow 8 days for shipping. If you require expedited shipping please call Barb at 630-615-6033.

How-To Assemble Your Pumpkin Racer

Pumpkin Race Kit Assembly Written Instructions

1. Gather your materials: Your Pumpkin Kit, a pumpkin (make sure the pumpkin is small enough so the wheels will have enough space to turn), a power drill, a hammer, and something to write with.

2. Roll your pumpkin on its side and, using the wheels, measure where you will place the axles and mark the spots.

3. Using the power drill with an axle attached, push the tip of the axles into the pumpkin’s markings and drill straight through the pumpkin.

4. Screw on 4 wing nuts, smooth side out, onto each leg of the axles.

5. Place a bearing on the center of each wheel, and tap with a hammer until flush. Repeat with the other side of the wheels.

6. Slide on the wheels to the axles and secure each with a second wing nut, smooth side in.

7. Finally, wrap the zip ties around the front and rear axle on the left and right sides, and pull until the wheels are aligned. Then, trim the tails of the zip ties.

8. Decorate your pumpkin and prepare to race!

Click here for Rules:

Click here for Tips & Tricks:

Pumpkin Race Team-Building

The ultimate DIY fall team-building activity is building your own pumpkin racer. This is a great way to get coworkers, family, and friends involved in a little friendly competition all while supporting incredible students at Turning Pointe. Halloween is coming soon, so order your Pumpkin Race Kit before they sell out!

With each purchase of a pumpkin race kit you provide the students at Turning Pointe valuable vocational educational opportunities with the focus of creating successful outcomes for students learning to live and work as neurodiverse adults.

Order Now

Pumpkin Race
Team-Building

The ultimate DIY fall team-building activity is building your own pumpkin racer. This is a great way to get coworkers, family, and friends involved in a little friendly competition all while supporting incredible students at Turning Pointe. Halloween is coming soon, so order your Pumpkin Race Kit before they sell out!

With each purchase of a pumpkin race kit you provide the students at Turning Pointe valuable vocational educational opportunities with the focus of creating successful outcomes for students learning to live and work as neurodiverse adults.

Order Now

Pumpkin Race Sponsors

A huge thank you to our 2023 Pumpkin Race Sponsors! We appreciate your partnership with this family-friendly fall event.

Interested in Becoming a Sponsor for this Year’s Race? Click Here to learn more.

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
1500 West Ogden Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540

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Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
1500 West Ogden Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540

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Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation's Foglia Family Adult Services is a Certified Autism Center by the IBCCES.

Our organization does not discriminate in employment or the provision of educational services on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

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