Spearheaded by Ridgefielders Jess Collins and Steve Maydan, yesterday’s Ridgefield’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off was a HUGE success!
What you need to know: Maydan is a longtime pumpkin grower and Collins happens to be his neighbor and longtime admirer of his orange beauties! BAM. A community match made in pumpkin paradise!
The duo brought the event to Ridgefield a decade ago and had big dreams for the Weigh-off. Collins says, “ 10 years ago when we started this event, we dreamed of what it could be and we are so happy with what it has grown into!”
2022 was indeed the biggest (in many ways!) “We had the most pumpkins we've ever weighed at the event, the most vendors, the most visitors. We are so grateful for all of you.” Collins remarked.
Rhode Island pumpkin grower Steve Sperry took the top prize with his enormous pumpkin tipping the scales at 1904.5. Coming in at #2 with an 1805-pound pumpkin was Tony Scott from Wappingers Falls.
Hailing from New Jersey, Chris Shortway came in 4th and set a record for the Garden State with a 1673-pound pumpkin.
Ridgefield pumpkin grower and event founder Steve Maydan’s pumpkin is #8 on the leaderboard (see image #3) at 1060.5 pounds and took top honors in the long gourd and marrow and squash categories.
Prospector Theater founder Val Jensen, owner of Gemstone Farm in New Canaan entered the contest for the first time and grew a 326.5 beauty with the help of her farm-working “Gems”.
For the complete list of winners, please see image #3.
This fall-favorite event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors including Presenting Sponsor, the Connecticut Giant Pumpkin Growers Club.
“Thank you to our amazing sponsors our musical performers. Thank you to the growers who chose to bring their giant to our event (and a really big thank you to our heavy equipment operators who moved all of those pumpkins off trucks and to the scale). Thank you to our community for coming out to see the giant pumpkins and squash and enjoy the festival!” Collins and Maydan say.
And… a special thank you and shout out to Dave Goldenberg who (once again) provided the awesome Giant Pumpkin commentary. Collins says, “Ten years ago we asked Dave Goldenberg if he could emcee our 1st Weigh-off. He arrives every year with fun pumpkin facts, and jokes, and does an incredible job making all of our growers comfortable talking in front of a crowd about their giant pumpkins.”