Your Guide to the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair and Things to Do in the Smoky Lake Region

Rebecca IsbisterEntertainment, Events, Fall Adventures, Highway 28, Iron Horse Trail, Metis Crossing, Northeast of Edmonton, Roadside Attraction, Roadtrip Adventures, Roadtrips, Shopping, Smoky Lake, Smoky Lake County, Summer Adventures, Vilna, Waskatenau

With all its beautiful bright colours, autumn is the perfect time to visit Smoky Lake, the pumpkin capital of Alberta.

Top Things to do in Smoky Lake

Pumpkin Park – Take a stroll and check out the large famous concrete pumpkins up close!
Iron Horse Trail – Adventure year-round on Alberta’s longest multi-trail system. With over 300km of trails that takes you through stunning scenery, it’s perfect for hiking, biking, quadding, horseback riding, and snowmobiling.
Smoky Lake Museum  – Located on the north side of town, learn about the area through artifact displays and historical photographs.
Smoky Lake Golf Club – You can’t miss this hidden gem, with four sets of tees, impressive elevation changes and picturesque scenery, the golf course has something for everyone.

Corn Maze – One of the most exciting, and sometimes challenging, ways to enjoy the fall harvest is by tackling a corn maze with friends and family! Be sure to check it out during the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair!

Go to Métis Crossing, a Must-See Attraction…

The first and only major Métis Cultural Centre in Canada is a special thing. Come for the experience to learn the rich history of the Métis, through daily guided tours and a wildlife park home to rare white bison, wood bison, plains bison, elk, and Percheron horses. Stay for the rich, culinary food that celebrates the culture of the Métis people.

Eat & Shop

Savour the flavours of tasting local.

Betsy’s Burger Shack –  Want a big, juicy burger with all the fixings? Donair? Milkshake? Betsy’s Burger Shack is where you’ll find these and many more delicious menu options including the legendary Shack Attack burger.
GoFer Liquor Store – With over 600 different brands of wine always in stock and coolers full of cold beer, the GoFer Liquor Store is the largest liquor store in Smoky Lake and has something for everyone’s taste buds! Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m.  7 days a week!
Grant Miller Motors – No one likes car problems. Stop at Grant Miller for all your automotive needs.
Great Bear Café – Grab a nice hot meal and take a photo with the giant bear!
Old Fashioned Bread Bakery & Deli – Stop by this family-owned shop for a selection of delicious Ukrainian baked goods.
Serben Farm Store – Find a selection of locally made products such as artisan cheese, perogies, soups, canning, ready-made meals and more. Plus, they have an online store!
Smoky Lake Farmers’ Market – Grab your produce and other local goodies from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays until December.
Smoky Lake Home Hardware – Your store for hardware, paint, electrical, fishing tackle and more!
Smoky Lake Inn Restaurant – It’s daily specials of a wide variety of delicious dishes, and a lounge with VLTs will serve your dining and entertainment needs.

Places to Go Around the Region

Whether it’s your first time, or you know the area, these spots are wonderful places to see.

Vilna
Cyrs Store – offering a great selection of gifts, ornaments, and home décor
Largest Mushrooms – Bring your camera when you visit Vilna’s Mushroom Park, site of the World’s Largest Mushrooms.

Bellis 
Heritage Corner Shoppe –is a treasure trove of gifts, antiques, collectibles and much more located off Highway 28 between Smoky Lake and Vilna.

Waskatenau
The Gathering Place Co-op – purchase locally grown farm-fresh products, pre-made or frozen meals, or a place to enjoy a hot meal in their comfy, cozy, country restaurant. Be sure to check out the online store where made-from-scratch frozen meals and preserved items can be ordered and delivered to Edmonton and areas north of the city.

Your Guide to the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival…October 4-6, 2024


©Photo by Go East of Edmonton Tourism

On Friday – Kick off the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair by taking in the corn maze, midway and pumpkin showcase!

On Saturday, guests can enjoy the Show & Shine, featuring cars and trucks from all over Alberta.  The kids can play at the petting zoo, or go for a ride at the midway. Be sure to shop at the amazing Farmers Market & Artisan Market. Watch Threshing Demos, the famous pumpkin weigh-off and the ever-popular Pumpkin Drop, get lost in the Corn Maze and more!

Family Day is on Sunday with all kinds of fun activities including a Farmers Market, Artisan Market plus…Face Painting, Glitter Tattoos, Balloon Artistry, Petting Zoo, Entertainment, Bouncy Castles, Family Fun Weigh off.
See detailed schedule below.

3 DAY PUMPKIN FAIR SCHEDULE


See link below for Purchasing Tickets.

Friday, October 4
4 pm – 10 pm Pumpkin Fair Kickoff – Entertainment, Food Trucks, Socializing
4 pm – 8 pm Corn Maze
4 pm – 9 pm Pumpkin Showcase Market


©Photo by Go East of Edmonton Tourism

Saturday, October 5
7:30 am Bus Service Begins
8am – 11 am Kinette Pancake Breakfast, Lions Den
9 am – 3 pm Car Show Registration, Show ’N Shine, Downtown
9 am – 3 pm Drop-In Center (downtown) Pie $5, hot dogs $5, coffee $1 and Pop $2
10 am – 4 pm Museum Open to Public
10 am – 6 pm Pumpkin Showcase Market, Complex
10 am – 5 pm Farmer’s Market, School and Kin Pavilion
10 am – 5 pm Corn Maze
10 am – 6 pm Food Truck Court – Complex, Downtown locations
10 am – 4 pm Ukrainian Showcase – Churches Across the Prairies. Includes displays, Music,
Ukrainian vendors, demonstrations, and food. Presented by Ukrainian Women’s Association
(Smoky Lake Branch and Metis Crossing.) National Hall
11 am to 5 pm Beer Gardens $5/drink, Perogies and Sausage $10/plate, Smoky Lake Curling Rink
Noon Start Pumpkin Weigh-off, Complex
2 pm – 7 pm Wine Tasting, Gofer Liquor
2 pm start Threshing Demonstration (no spinning this year), Museum


©Photo by Go East of Edmonton Tourism

Saturday continued…
10 am Start Annual Smoky Lake Pumpkin Classic 2-Person Scramble, 18 holes
Members $50, Non-Members $70, Cart $10
Smoky Lake Golf Course followed by Turkey Dinner
5 pm – 8 pm Turkey Dinner (Reservations @780-656-2121)
Smoky Lake Golf Course Supper only $35

5:30 pm Start Pumpkin Drop, Parking Area Near Bigway


©Photo by Go East of Edmonton Tourism

6 pm Busses STOP
5 pm Doors Pumpkin Fair Kitchen Party – Metis Crossing
Open Live Music, Menu & Drink Specials, Games & Festivities, Cultural Experiences
$30 Adult, Youth & Seniors $20, Kids under 12 FREE, Family$75 (price includes
Welcome drink & light snack) Purchase advance tickets to secure your spot.

Sunday, October 6
7:30 am Pancake Breakfast, Complex
10 am – 3 pm Pumpkin Showcase, Complex
10 am – 3 pm Food Truck Court, Complex
10 am – 3 pm Corn Maze
10 am – 2 pm Family Day Activities, Complex Hall
Live music
Kids Entertainment
Petting Zoo (Finnigan Farms)
Kid’s Craft Zone – diverse crafts kids can make within the lobby of the Complex
Bouncy Castles in the arena
Face painter/glitter tattoos
Incremental entertainment

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Check out our Video on the Town of Smoky Lake.

Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival| Smoky Lake AB | Facebook

See Metis Crossing details below under Where to Stay.


©Photo by Go East of Edmonton Tourism

*****Click to see all of the posters for the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair Event Listing and
follow their Facebook page for more updates and details.

Where to Stay…

Métis Crossing Lodge, Campground and Sky Domes – You’re likely to be tired after your day of adventuring. Luckily, Métis Crossing has options for all travellers. Opened this July, the Sky Dome’s transparent ceilings are perfect for star gazing, the historical Lodge will immerse you within this special land, or the Campground, located on a traditional Métis river lot where you’ll enjoy wide- open spaces, blue skies, and the gorgeous North Saskatchewan River Valley.


Pumpkin Fair Special

Stay with Metis Crossing! Enjoy comfortable accommodations just moments away from all the festivities.

Keep the festivities alive after the Pumpkin Drop in the town of Smoky Lake by heading to Métis Crossing for our Pumpkin Fair Kitchen Party
Admission: Adults $30  /  Youth & Seniors $20  /  Family $75   /  Kids under 12 Free

  • Food and Drink Specials: Enjoy delicious food and drinks for purchase.
  • Games and Festivities: Participate in fun games and win prizes.
  • Cultural Experiences: Engage in authentic Indigenous activities.
  • Raffles and door prizes
  • Live entertainment
  • Shuttle Service

1-Night Stay: Includes admission for two to the Kitchen Party, starting at $280.
2-Night Stay: Includes admission for two to the Kitchen Party, starting at $499.

Please call  780-656-2229 or email  metiscrossing@metis.org to get your tickets or to book Pumpkin Fair Special.

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Paradise Cove Resort and Northern Lights RV Resort – Near Vilna, camp year-round with power hook ups available and all over needed amenities.

Smoky Lake Inn – Looking for modern accommodations but with a historical twist? This fine hotel is located in town and offers affordable rates and beautiful rooms.

Super 8  – Located right on Highway 28, this hotel is able to accommodate travellers, with parking for all size vehicles including big rigs and busses.

For more Information…