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Central Illinois

Was the first HD given in 1996 I know Dave Stelts won one that year

12/19/2016 2:33:57 PM

Piqua, Ohio

not sure, but I remember when the HD award wasn't about color.

12/19/2016 2:54:18 PM

Josh, I'm curious, what was the HD award previously based on?

12/19/2016 3:17:51 PM

Piqua, Ohio

shape of pumkin, grower improvement in weight from previous year. I believe 2008 is when my old neighbor and mentor won this award with a snow white pumpkin.

12/20/2016 9:31:00 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I don't think the Howard Dill Award was made until like 2004-2005 period

12/21/2016 7:57:28 AM

Central Illinois

The following year, 1996, he (dave stelts)was awarded the "Howard Dill Award" in Ohio, for a 680# pumpkin, that was voted "most beautiful"!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=84

12/21/2016 10:22:55 AM

Central Illinois

I googled each year and when I got down to 1995 I didnt get any responses for Howard Dill Award

12/21/2016 10:27:03 AM

Central Illinois

Me again ..Howard wolf sent me this info

I think a few of the local sites had their own HD award in the early years, perhaps Ohio Valley was the first to name the prettiest award for Howard, I'm not sure.

Somewhere around 2004 or 05, the GPC decided to award an overall HD winner and it was based on pictured being submitted for review. As you can imagine, it became quite difficult to pick one when the cream of the crop were perfect 10s. I think the picture system only lasted a couple years, and around 2007 or so we switched to sending each site an award to be chosen how they see fit, based on it being the prettiest.

You would probably want to check with Tim Parks, Dave Stelts, or Al Gibson to see what they can tell you of the 1995 and older information.

So is the first HD when the GPC sent out plaques ? The 2004 to 2005 period ?

I would say it be when the GPC recognized it, what do you think

12/21/2016 11:07:46 AM

Salem, Ohio USA

The OVGPGs 1st weigh-off was in 1995. Our criteria are color + confirmation (over 500#-Atlantic Giant). Never had any thing to do with improvement from the year before. We have 3 judges choose the winner. Voting takes too long and could be a popularity contest.

12/21/2016 12:27:27 PM

Salem, Ohio USA

I was lucky enough to win the award in 2007 (1462#). I sent the plaque to Howard in the hospital. It might still be on display at the Dill's Seed Center.

12/21/2016 12:29:16 PM

Piqua, Ohio

in 2008 Jeff Deathridge won at New Bremen Ohio weigh off, not OVGPG site. Jeff Wells was president of the club and when he explained why Jeff Deathridge won it was because his pumpkin was symmetrical and was the most improved grower in our club

12/21/2016 10:36:02 PM

Piqua, Ohio

maybe it was still up to individual sites on how to award the prize, I don't know. T

12/21/2016 10:37:44 PM

Central Illinois

Thanks for that information but the judging process isn't my question.When did the HD award become recognized by the gpc. I know it would have to be an official weigh-off.

The ugliest pumpkin award isn't a gpc award but it could be at some point but when?

12/22/2016 11:19:25 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Just my opinion, but I don't think the ugliest award is a good idea. I think the purpose of an award should be to acknowledge excellence. Heaviest and best looking pumpkins would qualify. I don't think too many people strive to grow an ugly pumpkin. It would be somewhat like awarding a child with the worst grades, or awarding the laziest worker.

12/22/2016 5:33:08 PM

Central Illinois

From Dave Stelts
The GPC started the HD award in 2005 & after spending many hours of spirited debate we selected the winner in 2005 & 2006. After that we concluded that such an honor should be given at the site level as there were far to many deserving pumpkins to limit to just 1 a year.

So to answer the question 2005 the GPC started the HD award & in 2007 the plaques for HD were given to the sites. Back then there were premium sites who got plaques & lower registration levels that got ribbons so very site would not necessarily have a plaque to give out.

12/23/2016 9:07:53 AM