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Team Munson

It is my pleasure to announce the biggest 3 pumpkins will be going to the New York Botanical Gardens.

This will be an all expense paid trip for 2 people per pumpkin to make the appearance of a life time.

The growers will travel with their pumpkin on 10/20 to the NYBG to off load and have it set in a professional display. Early on 10/21 be up early for the media frenzy doing a morning shows and other Nationally syndicated telecasts. We are not sure if 10/22 will be needed for more TV appearances so you might want to clear your schedule for the week.

The pumpkins will remain on display till 10/31 and will be available on 11/1 for seed extraction or to make the ride home. We have arranged to have the seeds extracted and mailed to you by our experienced growers from CT.

This will be year 1 of what we hope will be a yearly event with the NYBG. In our efforts to get better media coverage for our growers and the GPC we needed to partner with an established venue in a major market. The GPC is looking to make a similar deals with other major markets in Chicago, Toronto, California, & Europe.

This unfortunately will only be available to a limited geographic area form the NE US & Ontario Canada. We only have a limited budget for this so we hope all growers will understand that this is the first stepping stone to bring the best of the best from the world into the spot light for years to come.

We will have more details soon,
Dave

9/27/2010 3:12:52 PM

Arden, NC

Great idea Dave. I'm excited for the three largest pumpkin growers that earn this opportunity. However , is there any thought to including the world record watermelon grown by Chris and Janet Kent. At 291 pounds this melon smashed all previous records and would probably "draw" considerable interest too.

9/27/2010 6:01:49 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I agree.

9/27/2010 7:54:18 PM

sevierville, Tn

Thats a nice idea but I don't think a melon will hold that long. 10/31 is over a month away. Maybe someone will be interested before then.
BTW, I think this is the 1st world record melon for the GPC !

9/27/2010 9:02:54 PM

Mulino, Oregon

East Coast Bias!!!!! Just like football, baseball etc..
Maybe we'll just go to Disneyland!

9/28/2010 12:40:50 AM

Mulino, Oregon

Good job Dave & Steve on putting this together. I know it took a lot of work and time. We'll be working on the western counterpart too.

9/28/2010 12:41:53 AM

Northern California Foothills

So if one of the top 3 pumpkins was grown on the West Coast they would be included? You can't call it the top 3 if a top 3 pumpkin can't be included.

9/28/2010 9:28:17 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

dang it dave,if i knew that before i would of grown a bigger pumpkin,

9/30/2010 11:39:22 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Yeah. I'm kicking myself in the a$$ for holding back now.

9/30/2010 8:12:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw8QlvrXkTk

10/1/2010 7:41:36 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Now you include Ontario in your area. Last year we were left out of the trip because we were Canadian (from Ontario) & was told that no one is interested in seeing pumkins from Canada anyway. Talk about a kick in the groin. It would have been awesome to be includrd. Maybe the GPC should organize some sort of comparible media coverage for the Canadian & European Top 3 champions.

Phil & Jane

10/5/2010 10:54:40 AM

Western NY

Phil - we wanted you, the TV station didn't. We were at their mercy, but it looks like a better location where we will have more input this time.

10/5/2010 1:42:59 PM

Rhode Island

phil and jane

another good reason why the gpc should consider my suggestion to honor a different country every year by using that countries colors on the award ribbons.(no wise cracks from anyone about this years ribbons please-screw ups happen at times when dealing with third party manufactures)

we all share a common bond that is the love for this hobby.

its also a good thought to consider having a usa-canadian-european,etc? champion crowned each year.
with the over all winner of course getting the orange coat. ( to me this is the absolute best award a giant pumpkin grower could ever aspire to win.

but then again im just one man in a sea of pumpkin growers.
my best to both of you guys.

pap

10/6/2010 10:05:38 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Pap, one of those guys, isn't!!! Congrats Jane!!! I do agree w/ you tho!! "we all share a common bond that is the love for this hobby". Peace, Wayne

10/7/2010 2:57:24 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Hey Andy, We understand that the American TV wants only American pumpkins on their show & thats why we've never said anything about it until now. Reading the post got us to remembering Dave Stelt's call last fall to let us know that they didn't want or need our pumpkin for the TV show. We were very disappointed to say the least, but we understood.

I agree with Pap. The GPC should have a media person in each of the main regions to promote the hobby. I wonder what the GPC would have done if the top 3 were grown outside the US.

We hope this year's top 3 enjoy themselves on the TV tour. Good luck.

Jane & Phil

10/8/2010 8:42:14 AM

Ontario, Canada.

In order to accomplish all of this extra media effort the GPC will need to change its mission and mandate not to mention the addition of more manpower and resources.

As Dave states above this is only a stepping stone and as such under the current executive structure it has been to say the least an extremely challenging weigh-off season.

This is a good effort by all and the GPC will continue to build upon its success in future years.

10/9/2010 5:46:32 AM

Bristol,RI,USA.

I think i would be worried to leave the seeds in the pumpkin for that long if it gose down it could spoil all the seeds we seen it happen to scott p from ri with his 1443 just saying

10/21/2010 2:43:44 PM

Murphys, CA

How does someone get seeds from the new record holders?

10/22/2010 2:23:10 PM