Thousands of people showed up in Ballard Park to see giant pumpkins this past Sunday at Ridgefield’s 12th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Festival. This year brought the most giant pumpkins ever to be weighed, the most first-time growers, and the widest assortment of fruits to be weighed from tomatoes to watermelons and of course giant pumpkins and squash.
The day was filled with entertainment, shopping, and great food. Visitors shopped the many vendors, picked up food from Brazilian BBQ Boys, Greek Crave and Waffle Cabin. The young musicians of Ridgefield Suzuki School performed in the morning and the talented teens from School of Rock performed in the gazebo during the pumpkin weighing. Jessica Manfro did a professional carving demonstration and two lucky winners got to bring those carvings home. The decorating contest was filled with so many creative pumpkins.
The weighing began at noon starting with the smaller giants. As the weighing progressed, the crowd cheered as the first pumpkin went over 1,000 pounds. Ridgefield was well-represented with Bobby Sommer, a first-time grower, taking home 2nd in the youth category with his 27 pound giant. Event co-chair and CTGPGC president, Steve Maydan from Ridgefield brought his 861 pound giant to the scale. Tony Scott from Wappingers Falls set a personal best with his first one-ton pumpkin, weighing in at 2,032 pounds and taking home 2nd place. Ron Wallce from Rhode Island, emceed the event and took home first place with his 2,125.5 pound pumpkin! Ricke Mace took home top honors in the long gourd category with his 125” long gourd. Allister Lehto took home 1st in the youth category with his 729 pound pumpkin.
If you are interested in trying to grow your own giant pumpkin for next year’s event, please reach out to us. To see more photos from the event, please check out our FB page!
**Photo by Jessica Collins