Pumpkin season arrives

Ken Johnston
Editor

It is time for the quest for the biggest Atlantic Pumpkin in the Rainy River District to start growing!
Event organizer Eltjo Wiersema said that many growers have their seeds started in doors already and are anxious for temperatures to warm up outside.
Last year six year old Levi Marken followed in his dad’s foot-steps from the previous year and grew the championship pumpkin. It weighed in at 659 lbs. and was nearly taller than Levi.
While his pumpkin is not the biggest one ever grown at the festival, it was enough to win him the holy grail of pumpkin growing; The Golden Hoe! He also earned $1,000 for his efforts!
However the game starts all over again as the 8th annual pumpkin festival growing season is now underway. Anyone can do it and seeds are available from most reputable seed houses. Again the top prize this year will be $1,000. Second will earn $500 and third $100. There will also be a raft of other prizes.
For more information call Eltjo at 852-4405 or email him at ejdot@jam21.net. The weigh-ins will be held at Hannam Park on Sept. 28, 2002.