Twenty-nine vegetables. One winner. This is the Warrnambool zucchini cart race

Zucchinis aren’t typically known for their speed, but 29 of them put the pedal to the metal during Saturday’s Harfest in the Quarry at the Warrnambool Community Garden.

The event, which brings together the autumn harvest, local food and music, aims to raise money for the volunteer-led community garden through its ticket sales.

What happened? More than 600 people attended the second annual Harfest in the Quarry, featuring a lineup of local musicians and DJs, a fashions on the field scarecrow competition, zucchini cart races and food and drink stalls.

• Organisers told the Brolga the “lean, green zucchini racing machines” came in all shapes and sizes with zany designs, from a disco zucchini with CDs for wheels to a zucchini pinata.

• The racers were grouped in threes and sent down a purpose-built ramp with multiple heats to determine the winner.

Winner, winner: The ultimate champion and winner of the Golden Gourd was Wangoom local Hugh Adams, who crafted a speedy “yellow submarine” zucchini with the help of his dad, Muz.

• As Hugh lifted the Golden Gourd trophy above his head, the crowd erupted into an impromptu chorus of the Beatles song.

• Prizes were also awarded for best crash, which went to a zucchini named Zoomabillia, which underwent duct tape repairs before the final run. The award for “best dressed” was given to the dazzling “disco zucchini”.

What else? The fashions on the field scarecrow competition saw participants create ensembles from second-hand clothing and beach debris collected by Beach Patrol 3280.

• The winning scarecrow embodied a deep sea diver.

Between sets by local bands, a red flashmob of Kate Bush lookalikes performed a Wuthering Heights dance for the crowd.