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NILES , CALIF

There used to be regulations and color rules for the Howard Dill award;

They have changed or omitted things on the 2018 gpc rules?

8/15/2018 5:35:11 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The Howard Dill Award
This award is given to the prettiest pumpkin at the weigh off, determined by your judges or other unbiased method – some sites use crowd voting or an independent panel.
Some sites have a size minimum for this - 500 lbs, as an example. This will be a site preference; you may decide to have no minimum.
This award should be for the giant pumpkin class. The qualities to look for are a good orange / red color and symmetry.

8/15/2018 1:25:12 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Nope they are still there.

http://www.gpc1.org/images/Weigh-off-handbook-2018.pdf

8/15/2018 1:25:53 PM

President - GPC

Please remember that no external substances are to be used to enhance the color or shine of the fruit. They are to look natural, not a high buffed plastic appearance that someone took a car buffer to. If so they may be classified as DMG and not eligible for the award. Site Coordinators, Judges and growers PLEASE NOTE.

Happy Weigh Offs All

8/15/2018 1:53:43 PM

NILES , CALIF

Wizzy ;
you can buff a pumpkin like an apple and it will shine;
your gpc judges need to know this!!

8/15/2018 2:12:00 PM

NILES , CALIF

So If you get a CLEAN RAG and you rub your pumpkin with it
and it gives it high buff shine appearance; you can be disqualified??

8/15/2018 2:22:55 PM

Brandon,WI.

it is true, that with a clean soft rag, nothing on you can rub on a pumpkin and get that waxy / dull finish off it and the true color will come out

8/15/2018 3:58:36 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

A true Howard dill winning pumpkin should achieve a buffed plastic look or whatever you want to call it without external substances. This is what separates true HD pumpkins from the random big orange that sometimes comes from otherwise heavy seed stock.

8/15/2018 4:10:25 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Buff? Who buffs? Im considering sandpapering mine to keep the red glow from blinding people.

8/15/2018 8:00:19 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Wait So if I wash my pumpkin weekly and buff it dry to bring out its Engel orange and shine I can be disqualified? I agree with no waxes, oils, and or chemicals. But washing and cleaning a pumpkin is not a reason for DQ. Who makes these rules?

8/16/2018 7:54:53 AM

Central Illinois

I believe it ok to polish a pumpkin with water and a clean rag, you can also use an industrial clothes dryer, just toss in pumpkin and some sheets

8/16/2018 9:12:03 AM

Morgantown, WV

Agree with Jim, the best colored pumpkins should be shiny on their own. I do not buff mine, but they do get a cleaning once in a while with plain water and a cotton cloth. I like to show mine naturally.

8/17/2018 7:58:50 AM

NILES , CALIF

Just be aware,if you show up with a Gerhart pumpkin or a Linus pumpkin and you have softclothed it,the gpc judges are gonna tell you, you have residue on it. Be ready!!
They then give you the 'I GOTHCHA TEST" they all get there fingers and swipe the ridges looken for residue?
If that one does not work then they check the edge of the stem looken for resin?
And the last I Gotcha test on your pumpkin if they cant find anything, THE SMELL TEST, they smell your pumpkin from all angles?
This last smell test really puzzles the crowd?

This happened to me true story
All this to go thru for a Howard dill , its worth it
So be ready for a Gpc Gothcha test

8/17/2018 9:47:05 AM

New England

We have a lot of dust since my patch is right next to the livestock dirt lots. I wipe mine down with damp towels almost weekly to keep it clean and to prevent damage from the skin. no polishing compounds ever used. I believe that is what the GPC rules are about?

8/17/2018 10:59:11 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

someone from gpc clarify...if you wash and clean your pumpkin with a cloth, and no other substances...such as polishes or oils...you could be disqualified. I know I can get my pumpkins shiny with just cleaning. It seems wrong that it could then be dq'd.

8/17/2018 11:08:34 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

OMG there is no one saying you can't wash a pumpkin. This rule isn't a change, its only actually going to be reinforced. I have grow Gerhart pumpkins and Linus pumpkins for years and NEVER EVER got the Gotcha test, because all we ever do is wash and clean the pumpkin with water.

Again it comes down to people trying to bend the rules.
You bend the rules , get caught and its all the GPC's fault, always. no one want to own up to anything anymore. I would love to see suspensions go along with Dq's I lobbied for that for years.

8/17/2018 11:40:23 AM

Jericho Vermont

Why are we over complicating something that is supposed to honor Howard Dill. It is a subjective award to the prettiest pumpkin at that particular weighoff, nothing more. Many times it goes to a pumpkin that a good percentage of weighoff attendees don’t necessarily agree with. It is what it is! Let’s put it back to its roots and just acknowledge that it is too subjective to be a real contest.

8/17/2018 9:13:31 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Howard rocks!!!

8/18/2018 4:18:05 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

This discussion is so ridiculous.

8/18/2018 3:27:14 PM

Upper Strasburg, PA

I like the crowd voting method- great way to engage the people who are just there as spectators

8/19/2018 3:51:52 PM

Grittyville, WA

If we want the public to like what we are doing we gotta ask for their vote. We are trying to honor Howard Dill. Was he trying to please the public or just follow arbitrary rules? I dont know. All I know is I think its way more satisfying when the public is involved! Grow em pretty...

8/30/2018 6:10:08 PM

Rhode Island

I agree 100% what VTJohn said/

9/2/2018 11:12:19 AM

Massachusetts

the Vermont club does the howard dill voting the best, everyone who enters with a pumpkin gets to vote for howard dill, drop a vote in a hat, tally up the votes.

9/25/2018 2:11:54 PM