Ridgefield Pumpkins Tip the Scale at 4th Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off

Giant pumpkins took over Ballard Park yesterday for Ridgefield's 4th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off. Growers traveled to Ridgefield from all over Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The competition opened with the long gourds which look a bit like giant green baseball bats. Ridgefield' own Steve Maydan took home the top honor with his 103.5" long gourd, followed by Ken Carlson of Danbury and Andy Box of PA. 

The two giant squash took the scale next with Ken Carlson taking 2nd place with a his giant green squash weighing in at 347 pounds. Andy Box of PA took top honors in the squash category with his giant weighing in at 655 pounds!

The pumpkins were measured for approximate size and went to the scale in order of smallest to expected largest. The CT Giant Pumpkin Growers club was thrilled to welcome two first time growers from Ridgefield to the weigh off. Ruth Abrahamson's pumpkin weighed in at 168 pounds, which is a fabulous first pumpkin for a grower. Catherine DiCamillo also from Ridgefield was also a first time giant pumpkin grower and her pumpkin weighed in at 272.5 pounds. Another Ridgefielder and co-chair of the pumpkin weigh off had an exceptional day at the scale. His pumpkin was the first one he has grown to go over 1,000 pounds, weighing in at 1,014 pounds. Immediately after his pumpkin was weighed, he was presented with his "half ton club" patch from the reigning North American giant pumpkin record holder, Ron Wallace. Growing a half ton pumpkin is an exclusive club and it was wonderful to see Steve join that club of giant growers at his hometown weigh off. 

The competition continued for the top spot. Williams was holding the 1st place spot with his giant at 1,263.5 pounds with two pumpkins left to be weighed. Young Amelia Wolf brought her pumpkin to the scale which she grew with her mom in her family's pumpkin patch. Wolf's giant weighed in at 1,124 pounds putting her in 2nd place, with one pumpkin left to go. Ron Wallace's giant was the last one to go on the scale and broke our Ridgefield record (which Wallace set last year at 1,767 pounds). Wallace's giant weighed in at 1,864 pounds! Connecticut was well represented in the standings with 3 Ridgefield pumpkins, 1 from Milford, 1 from Stamford, and 1 from Danbury.

Three carvers carved pumpkins during the weigh of all of which were raffled off. Shawn Feeney, winning carver of the first season of Halloween wars, carved a 300+ pound pumpkin to look like an old woman. It was incredible to watch pumpkins of all sizes being carved into amazing works of art.

The fun continued at the weigh off with so many children's activities. Winter Garden, in addition to sponsoring the pumpkin carving, set up a fun hockey game with jack o'lantern goals. Children were able to make trick or treat bags at Cabbage Patch Nursery School, corn husk dolls at Keeler Tavern, paint at Ridgefield Supply, enter to win martial arts classes, try breaking a board with their bare hands, among other activities. Lots of shopping from farm stands, to olive oil, to goat's milk soaps, the Traveling Chic Boutique, to many more. Visitors definitely worked up an appetite and enjoyed food from Odeens BBQ, Natural Scoop, The Zwack Shack, and Donut Crazy donut truck. School of Rock did an amazing job performing in the morning, and was followed by the very talented CAB band. Jessica Collins Photography captured the event. Be sure to follow the event Facebook page to see all the pictures here.

It was a wonderful day in Ballard Park. Thank you to the sponsors who made the day possible, especially the title sponsors CT Giant Pumpkin Growers, the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, Ridgefield Supply, Pamby Motors, and all the other sponsors who made this event possible. Thank you to the growers from choosing Ridgefield as the weigh off location for your giant pumpkin, and a big thank you to the community for coming out and being a part of the event.

Complete Pumpkin Weigh Off results can be found here. 

Photo and story by Jessica Collins. 

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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