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Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

This coming Sunday, Sept 30 The Penfield Beach Weigh-off.

Heaviest Pumpkin & Squash is a simple thing to establish. Stick it on the scale.
GPC color rules apply. Heaviest wins.

Howard Dill Award (Ribbon only - no cash)

It is now up to the Weigh-off Sites to decide the criteria used to make this award. The Penfield board consulted other site managers before deciding how we would proceed. We also went so far as to ask the Dill Family what their standards are. This detail is important given their name is on the award.

The CT board decided to set a 500 lb minimum weight to be certain that no non-AG's would be awarded & to insure that the considered entries are all showing their true integrity before consideration...IE no sag lines, dill rings or other obvious deformations. Most Dill's AG's don't show bad lines until they start packing on pounds.

Here is a direct quote from Howard, Danny & Diane:

"...no doubt, the Howard Dill award should be given to an Atlantic Giant pumpkin, at least 500 lbs...." (used with permission)

For 2007 we are NOT restricting the number of entries a grower can make. If a grower brings a 500+ lb exhibition entry the judges may consider it for the Howard Dill Award. This is a unique Penfield feature given that most sites (including the Dill's) will only consider a growers primary entry for the HD Award. This might be changed in the future if it gets out of hand but for now we seem to have a manageable number of entries each year.

As usual, all growers must determine their primary entry before weighing because once its entered its entered.

9/24/2007 2:01:11 PM

Dillsburg, PA

I love the idea of setting minimums for the pretty award. 500lbs is great but it seems like not many other varietys will get past 400lbs. Correct me if I'm wrong?

9/24/2007 4:12:56 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

That was the idea Jeff. Prizewinners rarely exceed 200.

There are some other varieties & oddball unnamed crosses that approach 500.

9/24/2007 6:24:27 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

I know from chat, that setting a minimum weight for the "Howard Dill" award is controversial. But I like the idea myself. I think the reasons you stated Steve, are valid ones. Good luck with the contest.

9/24/2007 6:26:15 PM

Dillsburg, PA

Yep, good job. I like to see this kind of thing as I only plant seeds that should throw nice looking pumpkins. Weight is not my #1 priority. IMO, a $ prize should also be rewarded. Its hard to grow nice looking AGs even if they are only 500lbs.

9/24/2007 7:09:56 PM