Port Elgin's Pumpkinfest seems to be coming quick this year -- and that's because it is being held on an earlier date.

Pumpkinfest takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the grounds of Saugeen District Secondary School.

Festival Coordinator Caroline Young says moving the date caused a bit of a challenge for organizers this year, and some confusion for festival-goers, but she believes they've run a good marketing campaign to make everybody aware of the change.

Young says from here on out, Pumpkinfest will be held the weekend before Thanksgiving, and even though it's in September this year, it will be in October some years.

She says attendance is always weather dependent, but they are expecting about 55-thousand people to attend.

Young says there will be plenty of activities to take in, including the annual vegetable weigh-offs and the Bruce Telecom Harvest Star Search talent show.

But new this year is the arts and cultural event put on by representatives of Saugeen First Nation.

They will explain First Nation culture through dance, drumming and story-telling, and it will include a pow-wow.

Once again, there will be no parking on the event site, so Young encourages you to take advantage of the free shuttle bus service.

She says shuttles will run continuously from satellite parking lots at Piper's Glen golf club, Giant Tiger, the Plex and the Beach in Port Elgin, and the Southampton Coliseum.

Pumpkinfest fair grounds are open from 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday.

The classic car show on the downtown drag goes from 8 AM to 4 PM both days.