Pumpkin champs to tell all this Saturday in RR

Ken Johnston
Editor

For 90 of the past 100 years growing giant pumpkins had been a secretive practise throughout the Rainy River area. However, a decade ago it came out of the closet in a big way.
The Rainy River Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival will be commemorating its 10th anniversary this Sept. 18 and to mark the special event organizers have decided to open the door to the competition’s secrets a little farther.
This Saturday last year’s champion and event record holders Steve Thorson and Kyle Paulson of Pinewood, Minnesota will travel to Rainy River to teach anyone who is interested how to grow prize winning pumpkins. The couple took first and second place last year with 765 and 756 pound pumpkins.
RRVGPF president Eltjo Wiersema said that this event promises to be bigger than the hunt for the Great Beaver!
It will take place at the former CNR Station on Hwy. 11 in Rainy River and there is no charge for it. “People will learn how and when to start seeds, how to pollinate and what fertilizers to use to be successful, “ said Wiersema. Seeds will also be given away at the event.
With 2004 being Rainy River’s centennial, Wiersema said that they want to do something special at this year’s pumpkin festival. “We are adding new prize categories this year which include heaviest vegetables (potato, watermelon, onion and squash).”
For those who can not make the free seminar Wiersema said that he has seeds available for free if people want them. Otherwise Lowen Greenhouse in Stratton and Northwest Nursery in Fort Frances will have plants already started for sale this spring.
Wiersema said that the event started in a back yard ten years ago with 18 pumpkins. “We were up over 100 entries but in the past few years people started only bringing the big pumpkins in. We encourage people to bring all pumpkins in as we have a hidden weight prize of $100.”
Anyone wishing more information on the competition or wanting seed can call Eltjo at 852-4405.