A gourdeous day

Every year, once this event has passed, I inevitably run into at least a handful of people who say “Oh, I meant to go to that!” Well here is a heads up reminder for the 32nd annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off. 

I’ve been in attendance at these events for some time now. They were held for twenty-some-odd years at Vessey’s Seeds in York, which is right down the road from us. To my great amusement, the first year my husband decided to attempt growing a big old gourd, the event moved to Kool Breeze Farms in Summerside. Probably not personal, but definitely ironic.

Growers from across the Island load up their trailers, hauling pumpkins and squash weighing hundreds to over a thousand pounds to set them on the scales and see who grew the biggest each season. They’re something to see for sure. Different colours, weird shapes and the variety of folks who take on this giant hobby are always interesting to me. The kids love it too.

The event is completely free to attend and so are all the activities involved. They have wagon rides, those bouncy animals to ride around on, huge structures built out of bales of hay for folks to climb over, and a corn maze I don’t dare enter. I once was stranded in a corn maze with three of my children, while pregnant with the fourth on an exceedingly hot Autumn day. That maze was pretty small too, so the hesitation lingers. Of course, there are also all the attractions that would normally draw someone to Kool Breeze: plants, garden decor, and ice cream. 

The whole thing is classic agricultural Island Fall with an upbeat twist of a DJ entertaining you in between pumpkin swaps. That particular element is a new addition which I thoroughly enjoyed last year. It was pouring rain so the couple hundred folks in attendance were neatly tucked into one of the greenhouses and the music really kept the dreary of the day away. The pouring rain also didn’t deter the majority of children from being engaged in all the activities available. Rainy days deserve ice cream too, right?

I suppose I should disclose my family’s current status of gourd glory. I mean, not to brag, but last year my husband won in the pumpkin and squash category. I know, I’m a lucky woman, the accolades by association are endless. 

I nearly forgot to mention the pie-eating contest! Which I always wish I could enter, but gluten thwarts me every time. I would annihilate those children, I love blueberries. If you’d like to do the honour for me, that would be stellar. You need to sign up early though, a limited number of pies and seats are available. 

October 11th, Thanksgiving weekend is the date for this year’s weigh off. So mark your calendar if you happen to be one of the folks who’ve always thought they should go. You won’t be disappointed.