The Great Pumpkins

Ken Johnston

As gardeners get ready to pick their last vegetables this week, one crop will hold a particular interest to people across the district this Saturday.
The 12th Annual Rainy River Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival will be held on Sept. 16th starting at 10 a.m. at the Rainy River Arena.
In addition to the $1,000 and golden hoe for largest pumpkin, $500 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd, five $100 prizes have been added for the pumpkin nearest to 100lbs, 200lbs, 300lbs, 400lbs and 500lbs. “We felt that some folks were not bringing in their entries because they did not feel they were contenders,” said Wiersema last week noting that they used to get well over 100 entries in the early years of the festival. Now in its 12th year the event has been seeing less than 50 entries annually. In total over $2,500 in prize money will be harvested by pumpkin growers of all ages.
Wiersema said there are rumours of some really good pumpkins growing out in the region this year, especially in the Thunder Bay area where two pumpkins 945lbs and 847lbs came from last year.
Wiersema himself said he had a good pumpkin growing but then thinks the neighbour’s dog might have been sent over to kill it with a leg lift or two. He said he has another big one and has been spending nights guarding from intruding dogs protecting it.
Three new board members have started helping the festival. Wiersema said Tom and Penny Shumaker and Richard Short are all helping to keep the family festival a “Big” success.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. with registration and a harvest display. Kids games will begin at 11 and a big potluck lunch will follow at noon.The farmers market and a quilt show will be there as well.
Weigh-ins will take place at 2:30 p.m.
The event is open to the public and there is no admission charge.