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The Story
The story of Pumpkin Weeks in Salo began in the autumn of 2018 as a result of an unfortunate event, when a candle factory in Halikko was completely destroyed in a fire. Entrepreneur Esa Rannikko from Rannikon Puutarha, who also volunteers as a firefighter, took part in extinguishing the blaze.
After the accident, Rannikko wanted to bring light into the darkness for the people of Halikko. Together with his team, the first pumpkin lanterns were carved, using candles that had been saved from the warehouse of the fire-damaged factory. At first, these local pumpkins and candles brought joy to nearby residents and occasional passersby on the same field where the very first Pumpkin Park was established in 2019.
What may once have seemed like a slightly crazy idea has, over the years, grown into a beloved and highly anticipated autumn tradition. Rannikko’s goal has always been to keep Pumpkin Park a joyful event that brings light and happiness to the darkness of the season. To him, it is also important to raise awareness about the value of Finnish food production and to host the event right where the pumpkins grow — in the beautiful Halikko river valley, where they delight hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Pumpkin Weeks
The growing popularity of Pumpkin Park brought in more and more visitors year after year. At the same time, new events and campaigns began to emerge around it. As the event continued to grow, there was a shared desire to ensure that Pumpkin Park would bring as much joy and benefit as possible to the entire city.
In 2021, the local entrepreneurs’ association (Salon Yrittäjät) was invited to take on a broader coordinating role. This led to the creation of Pumpkin Weeks, which the association has developed over the years largely through volunteer efforts. The City of Salo has also been increasingly involved, offering stronger support for the event year after year.
Pumpkin Weeks, built around Pumpkin Park, offer a wide variety of activities and experiences for visitors of all ages across the Salo region. Today, dozens of local businesses and associations are involved in creating the unique pumpkin atmosphere.
