LISTEN | This Ontario grower’s 1,711-pound pumpkin nearly snagged top prize at Pumpkinfest. Then he was disqualified:
As It Happens6:33This Ontario grower’s 1,711-pound pumpkin nearly snagged top prize at Pumpkinfest. Then he was disqualified
When Jeff Warner loaded his 1,711-pound pumpkin onto a trailer for Port Elgin Pumpkinfest earlier this month, he knew winning wasn’t a sure thing. Still, the Englehart, Ont., farmer says he was hoping for a chance.
Instead, he found himself disqualified from the giant vegetable weigh-off. The reason? A soft spot.
“About a week before I cut the stem, there was a tiny little soft spot on [the pumpkin] – and we’re talking the size of a loonie,” Warner told As It Happens guest host John Northcott.
He understood that strict rules were in place regarding the condition of entries. But Warner decided to make the nine-hour journey to the fair regardless, giant gourd in tow.
Judges of the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest said this soft spot disqualified Warner’s giant pumpkin from winning the heaviest pumpkin contest. (Submitted by Jeff Warner)
“I was going to the event no matter what,” said Warner. “I told myself I had a 50/50 chance of getting disqualified, so I decided let’s load it – it’s fun to go, even if it’s just showing people on the highway the pumpkin, that’s half the fun right there for the trip.”
Warner mentioned that he tried scraping away at the soft spot in hopes of preventing further rot. But with each pit stop along their route, he noted that it only got bigger.
“I knew I was losing the battle, and I was just hoping I still fit into the competition,” said Warner.
By the time they reached the festival, it was clear that damage had been done. A judge informed him that for his pumpkin to qualify, any hole needed to be no larger than three inches wide.
“He measured it and he said, ‘No it’s too big for the rule book,'” said Warner. “I’m bummed but at the same time, I fully understand that rules have to be followed.”
The winning pumpkin weighed 1,542 pounds – almost 170 pounds less than his six-by-six foot garden giant.
Despite not claiming first prize at this year’s fair, Warner says he doesn’t regret all those hot July nights spent nurturing his pumpkins – pruning and watering them as they grew.
Warner says he strapped his 1,711-pound pumpkin to his trailer and drove nine hours with hopes of winning top prize at this year’s Port Elgin Pumpkinfest. (Submitted by Jeff Warner)
“As time goes on, you’re trying to beat yourself – get a bigger pumpkin every year than you’ve done before.”
And while his entry didn’t win top honors at Pumpkinfest, Warner shares that it’s still getting plenty of attention; families are stopping by just to check out his massive gourd and snap some pictures with it.
And then , he has other plans forhispumpkin , which willgetasecondlife- er- death , a few hoursnorth. p >“My plan is totakeitupacouplehoursnorthof hereandthereisapolarhabitatandwe’llfeedittothepolarbears ,”said Warner. p >
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