Giant-pumpkin growers plan weigh-off
CANFIELD
The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers will have the 17th annual giant pumpkin weigh-off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Parks Garden Center, 9010 state Route 62.
Prize money will exceed $20,000. Categories include heaviest pumpkin, green squash, watermelon, tomato, cantaloupe, Halloween-type pumpkin and longest gourd. The participant with the heaviest giant pumpkin will receive $5,000. The person with the first pumpkin to break the 2,000 pound barrier will be awarded an extra $10,000.
Growers should bring entries to the garden center by 9 a.m. Exhibits will be on display until 4 p.m. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Pumpkins, gourds, mums and fall decorations will be sold.
People have grown giant pumpkins for 150 years. The Ohio record is held by Christy Harp of Massillon, with a pumpkin weighing 1,725 pounds. Chris Stevens, of Wisconsin, holds the world record. His pumpkin weighed 1,810 pounds.
The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers comprises 325 members and has a weigh-off for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, which conducts more than 90 weigh-offs in many countries to determine the world champion.