WATCH: Giant gourds set sail at West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) - It was gourds aplenty as boaters dressed as Captain America, Guy Fieri, a hot dog and more made a big splash in Oregon's Tualatin’s Lake of the Commons on Sunday afternoon.

Participants dressed in their Halloween best used all their might, paddling in carved-out pumpkins as part of the 2025 West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Portland.

This year, participant Parker Johnson chose to be the Very Hungry Caterpillar, winning first place in the costume contest.

"I was just chatting with my family in the car, like, just brainstorming things to do. And my dad thought up the idea of a caterpillar eating its way up out of the pumpkin," he told Nexstar's KOIN. "I thought that was really fun, so I went with it."

This marks the 21st year the regatta has been held. The overall goal of the race is not only to make it to the finish line first, but also avoid taking on too much water.

The giant pumpkins are supplied by the Pacific Giant Vegatable Growers. Growers and regatta sponsors are chosen as paddlers by a lottery. The regatta supplies a giant pumpkin, which comes already hollowed-out; paddle, and life vest. Family-friendly costumes are among the requirements, and all paddlers must be at least 18-years-old.