Port Elgin Pumpkinfest

Inducted in 2023

Welcome Joanne Robbins from Port Elgin Pumpkinfest to the Festivals and events Ontario Hall of Fame.

Joanne has played a key role in the festival industry for over 30 years and has helped to grow Pumpkinfest from 10,000 attendees in the early years, to more than 50,000 annual visitors to the small town of Port Elgin

Joanne helped to develop the first Special Event Resource centre in the Province 24 years ago and obtained a grant to build an inventory and a facility capable of signing out event equipment to over 50 events a year. Events across the Province can obtain resources such as training, signage, games, PA Speakers and so much more.

Another innovative impact that Joanne has had on the community is ability to get non-profit groups to participate in Pumpkinfest. Her passion for the event has helped her convince high school teams, Rotarians, Girl Guides, Air Cadets and the local church to take on various jobs at the festival.

Joanne tends to stay in the background…making sure her board and volunteers get all the credit….but without her experience and positive attitude, Pumpkinfest would never have grown to the heights it has…especially during the pandemic