From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Peosta, Iowa

So this is going to be a task for a lot of weigh off sites this year and I would like to get the growers thoughts on this to reassure some weigh off sites. I received this Question: My question for growers and other weigh-off hosts is: will growers be willing to bring pumpkins to events if prize money is significantly limited?

My answer is Yes, giving the card we are being dealt a pumpkin on the scale with a official weight would be good enough especially this year. Lets here some other thoughts Please!

3/31/2020 8:45:25 PM

Upper Strasburg, PA

Yes. I’m not in this for the money. I’m in it for the fun.

3/31/2020 8:51:46 PM

Upper Strasburg, PA

Yes. I’m not in this for the money. I’m in it for the fun.

3/31/2020 8:53:20 PM

Ironton, ohio

First year grower, im just looking for a number to beat next season not prize money. Hopefully this 1344Caspers seed makes it easy for me.

3/31/2020 9:21:40 PM

Elk Grove , California

We in Elk Grove CA are considering a back up plan just in case. We would seek GPC and county health authorities approval to have a certified scale at one location on one day. Growers desiring a certified weight would make appointments on that day to get their ‘kin weighed. No spectators, no public, no hangers on. Just the weighoff team and the grower. Maybe we livestream on Facebook so others can watch. All still just a thought process. Hopefully the world has returned to some semblance of normal by October.

3/31/2020 9:56:32 PM

Greenbrier Valley, WV

I'm in it for the money, fame, and pumpkin groupies. I guess two out of three ain't bad.

3/31/2020 9:58:22 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Even before Covid 19, I was planning to go to 2 weigh offs where there was a question about no prize fund this year. I'm in it for the fun.

3/31/2020 10:08:26 PM

Lakewood, WA

I'm here for the fun, so far!

3/31/2020 10:16:28 PM

Western NY

It's usually a losing venture anyway, at least gas prices should be low. I doubt I'd change much.

3/31/2020 10:23:17 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Probably a lot less people traveling the longer distances in hopes of winning big prize money. My guess is growers will head to local weighoffs rather than travel for the big payout. I’m not in it for the money so if the weighoffs are going on I plan on being there.

3/31/2020 10:51:01 PM

Colorado

Getting it weighed is my drug, the # on the check isnt.

4/1/2020 12:55:41 AM

Ireland

We are in the position that its difficult enough to get a site for a weigh-off never mind prizes.

If I get one big enough, we might head over to England to get it weighed due to the fact that theres not many pumpkin growers in Ireland an a weigh off might not be possible.

4/1/2020 5:37:38 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Last thing on mine mind has always been the check! I love the plaques and awards for the pumpkin wall!!

And for the grower out there growing just for the money,,, where's the fun in that.

4/1/2020 5:49:31 AM

Westmoreland, KS

If i can get an official weight I'm in no matter how far i have to travel and no matter the payout. Also beating Pete Caspers is pretty awesome! ;)

4/1/2020 8:11:56 AM

South Dakota

I spent well over $1000.00 on last years grow and everthing rotted off the vine, so no weigh in last year. I don't think many people do this for prize or profit. This is an addiction that people do because it makes them feel good and productive. Prize money is entirely an afterthought and bonus. I want the numbers so I have a PR to shoot for.

4/1/2020 8:30:08 AM

Central NY

i really hope this wont be an issue and very appreciative of you guys that are already making plans in case this goes south. if we grow, we show.

4/1/2020 8:38:52 AM

Savage, MN

I just want to beat my last year's poor numbers. I'm not in for the dinero.

4/1/2020 9:17:51 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Only one time did I ever make more money than I had invested, and it ended up getting put right back into the garden. So yes, I will be going to weigh-off. Real easy for the one that is just 3 miles from home.

4/1/2020 9:45:34 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Spent yesterday and will also spend today putting up fences and hoop houses. Have been planting Giant pumpkins for many years. I will plant one less pumpkin plant and plant vegetables in that spot. Wishing the best to everyone in and out of the patch.

4/1/2020 10:15:29 AM

Benson, MN

Prize money is of no concern. Just being able to have personal accomplishments officially recognized by the GPC and bragging rights are all that is needed. Good Luck to all, and grow em BIG!

4/1/2020 10:32:21 AM

I. Falls, Minn

Not fare Bill, I still have a foot of snow on the ground. Hopefully I will see you at weigh offs. Will plant your HD seeds. I can't compete with large.

4/1/2020 11:07:48 AM

Vancouver Washington

I was going to say we are growin' and showin' Pete, but it sounds like something you would read on the cucumber board. We can't stop , just put new tines on the tiller!

4/1/2020 11:22:57 AM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

I would still bring a pumpkin.

4/1/2020 11:46:28 AM

Johnston, Iowa

Yes. 100% Yes!

4/1/2020 12:42:32 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

What some of you actually get prize money? I am always happy when the prize money ='s or is greater to the cost of gas... Jodi always buys a sweatshirt which puts me in the hole.

4/1/2020 1:32:50 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

You may have to bring your own lifting teams.

4/1/2020 1:35:13 PM

Grittyville, WA

I like the prize money I usually come in the last paying spot. Lunch/gas. . . its nice to break even. Its not the only reason to go I enjoy the weigh offs but I might take them straight to the local supermarket if the weigh off fun was not effectively free. Just being honest... I like free fun a lot more than paying to have fun. That sounds so wrong also.

4/1/2020 3:44:45 PM

Mi.

Pete you know I am still growing and so are most michigan growers

4/1/2020 3:52:39 PM

Midway, UT

Pumpkins are a bad investment. Very few make a dime, including many of the winners. I'd take my pumpkin to get the weight without the prize money.

4/1/2020 5:59:40 PM

Peosta, Iowa

Great answers, even Jake's! Hope this helps a few weighoffs that are questionable with their descion making. Its Grow time!

4/1/2020 8:31:05 PM

Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783

I think things will be getting back to normal by weight off time. Good luck everyone and stay healthy in the mean time.

4/1/2020 10:18:23 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

I got into growing giant pumpkins for the fame, the fortune, and the female attention. What a rude awakening I had! Believe it or not?

4/3/2020 2:07:26 AM

Syracuse, NY

yeah, those female flowers appreciate what i do for them also! ha!
i would bring a pumpkin(s), if worthy of anything, including a new PB or to sell there at the weighoff. yeah - eg

4/3/2020 1:34:09 PM

Syracuse, NY

so, i'm again the last word on this - HS, cannot believe it yet again and hate to ask, but, where'd allllll the money go from seed auctions? just gonna sit in an account until next year? i'm prett-yyy sure that Giant Pumpkin Growing would see a severe slowing in progress if it were not for the money (or the potential to win it) at the weighoffs; even my answer above still stands, but, if there's a weighoff, there's a weigh - no prob, but someone had to ask and i'm surprised it is me - eg - another thought i had (yes, i have those)...no, i'll wait to see if anyone comments on even this that i just asked about - - -

4/5/2020 8:19:43 PM

Peosta, Iowa

This question came from a site with no club affiliation so no seed auction. Prize money came from donations from the community. Wont effect every weighoff, but could effect a handful

4/6/2020 5:19:25 AM

Walhalla, ND.

I’m growing irregardless of weigh offs. I’m always only after a personal best. Don’t get me wrong, I like money, but growing bigger than the last one is better.

4/6/2020 11:08:41 AM

Syracuse, NY

okay, thanks for the deets and after re-reading my paragraph, now, 'what Hobbit said' - eg

4/6/2020 1:15:50 PM

Partlow,Va

I am growing older,and better looking every day since I can't half see now!
I am for sure growing and going for some new PB's!!!

I also am growing a garden after many years off from it and canning some things. It should be a good change and idea considering all this mess. I will keep my eating garden more of a priority that's for sure.

4/6/2020 8:27:01 PM

Brandon,WI.

In years past, I usually donate a big pumpkin to a local apple orchard for dispay,they have TONS of visitors every fall, hope they are open this fall. Anyway the joy we get from people seeing, touching and/or being in awe of a BIG pumpkin, makes me want to grow every year,I had a rough year in 2019 and didn't make it to a finishline,felt like I let the general public down, will be back in 2020 to fill that void>

4/12/2020 9:49:13 AM