From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mercersburg, PA

We have an annual fall festival at our farm in Mercersburg, PA. This fall we are considering hosting a giant pumpkin weigh-off. Any suggestions, or thoughts?

I've looked at the GPC website and rules... I must admit they seem a little intimidating, so I'm leaning towards an independent weigh off. I've spoken with a few growers in our area, and they seem genuinely interested. I'd like to begin planning now, as we do a lot of pre-season advertising.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!
Jamie

12/29/2010 2:57:43 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Don't be intimidated by GPC rules. Well worth the pain for the gain. You are doing your site and pumpkin growers a huge favor by being a GPC site. Gotta start somewhere and anything worth doing is worth doing BIG!

12/29/2010 3:45:16 PM

canal winchester ohio

I would second Alex, don't shy away from the GPC. Being in Pa. and a hotbed for growers, being in the GPC might help draw growers your way looking to get another monster in a GPC weighoff.

12/29/2010 4:01:02 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Have a local weighoff first and see what kind of interest and support you can obtain and build on it. I don't see any good reason to go "whole hog" right off the bat with a GPC-sanctioned event the first year out, only to be disappointed later due to lack of support. A GPC event is a big deal and a lot of work goes into supporting it.

As Paul stated, Pa. is a great state with many great growers. If it can't happen in Pa., it can't happen anywhere.

12/29/2010 11:38:23 PM

Muddy Waters

If you go independent dont have it same day as GPC Thats suicide.

12/30/2010 7:00:24 AM

Claysburg , PA

Handy, I wouldn`t go that far . You might be surprised how many show up .

12/30/2010 7:10:43 AM

Jamie,

one of the key ingredients in a successful weigh off is the support of a club. To help promote, find help with prize money, and organize/help run the event. If you provide the site and seed money, and are interested in the long term this is definitely a key element.

Generally speaking the GPC wants to see some establishment of an event before they will consider sanctioning and they like to see a club involved.

12/30/2010 7:49:19 AM

Mercersburg, PA

Thanks for all of your replies... much appreciated. How do I go about finding a club?

Also, our event is always the first Saturday in October -- the same day as Altoona's GPC weigh off... which is only two hours away. Suicide??? We are a seasonal business, so the first Saturday isn't set in stone, but it's the day that attracts the most people (3,000+). I thought this day would be best because it would really shine a light on this niche of growers. Last year we flew in a sculptor from Washington state, and he carved a giant pumpkin. We thought this would be something to expand on that. And yes, if successful, we'd be interested in the long term.

Thanks again for your thoughts and opinions.

12/30/2010 9:35:32 AM

Claysburg , PA

Jamie , www.pgpga.com will hook you up to the PA club but as you stated their weighoff is the same time as yours would be .

Most weighoffs started small and got where they are today . Good luck getting one going.

12/30/2010 9:44:37 AM

Knopp, Germany

I second Unkadan's advice of support of a club, do not underestimate the need for a group of supporters.

12/30/2010 12:44:51 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

You might want to consider having it on the 1st Sunday

12/30/2010 6:58:55 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Jamie, just mho, but if a one time event.., go for it w/ local advertising, do it on 1st Sunday...if you want this to be a long time, growing event (wow 3K folks show up) !!Do it on the 1st Sunday!!! Get involved w/ the best ...GPC!!! Best wishes for yer first GPC sanctioned weighoff in Mercersburg!!! Like I said, just my humble opinion!!! Peace, Wayne

2/3/2011 4:58:49 PM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

We started a local weigh off that ended up being on the same day as a gpc weigh off but we allowed pumpkins that had been previously weighed and that is the key. you don't have to fork out the GPC money for the weigh off and the weigh off close by won't affect yours as its GPC. Growers who only have one or two pumpkins but might have weighed them already will come and they now pay by the pound for the top five prizes. First year we had 8 pumpkins from 6 growers, this was the third year and there was 36 pumpkins weighed. Make sure you have a good machine to move them and lots of help.

Kirk

2/4/2011 8:21:03 AM

Claysburg , PA

As I stated many times why Sundays ????

Most growers that know me can say I`m usually a very keep my mouth shut person and go with the flow person but this idea of more Sunday weighoffs really gets me going . Make growers choose which weighoff they want to attend on Saturdays.

James

2/4/2011 12:36:48 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

James, I think the suggestion for a Sunday weighoff was cause of the proximity of an established weighoff on that particular Saturday. Would guess that the next Saturday might be just as good as the Sunday!! Peace, Wayne

2/5/2011 2:11:55 AM