Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off held in Dundee

Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off held in Dundee
Harnica Kids’ Pumpkin Farm, located at 12406 Bigelow Rd., Dundee, was the local site of the official weigh-off for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Due to some problems with the scale, this year’s weigh-off got off to a late start, but the results were worth waiting for.

The winner at this year’s local contest was Bob Wells of Ann Arbor. Mr. Wells, who has entered the contest regularly, grew a pumpkin this year that weighed in at 800 pounds.

The top weights from each weigh-off site are compiled to decide overall winners.

Second place went to Kevin Livingston of Brighton, with a 690-pound pumpkin. Third place went to Tina Wells of Ann Arbor, with a 635-pound entry.

Fourth place was a 505-pound pumpkin raised by Allan Gasper of Monroe. Fifth place went to Trevor Wells of Ann Arbor with a 435-pound pumpkin and Ron Heiden of Dundee earned sixth place with a pumpkin weighing in at 400 pounds.

The best-appearing pumpkin was raised by the Harnica Kids of Dundee.

The heaviest watermelon was a 120-pound behemoth raised by Darrel Berry of Linden, who also raised the heaviest tomato at one pound, five ounces.

The longest gourd measured 79 inches and was raised by Bob Wells of Ann Arbor, who also had the heaviest squash, at 625 pounds.

“A new world record for the heaviest pumpkin was grown by Al Eaton of Richmond, Ontario,” said John Harnica of Dundee. “It weighed 1,446 pounds.”

He added, “This year, nationally, the 20th place pumpkin weighed in at 1,000 pounds.”

That’s a challenge to all local pumpkin growers. Michigan has good soil and usually plenty of rain. But this year, too much rain spoiled some giant pumpkin-growing efforts.

The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth has seen its network grow to 23 sites for this year’s contest.

The GPC offered almost $10,000 in prizes in addition to those awarded at local sites. The first place national winner took home $2,000; second place $1,000; third place $750; fourth through seventh places $500; eighth through 10th place $250; and 11th through 20th place $100.

Local prizes were: first place $300; second place, $200; third place, $100; fourth place, $50; and fifth place $25. There was a $25 cash prize for the best appearing pumpkin.


Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off held in Dundee Harnica Kids’ Pumpkin Farm, located at 12406 Bigelow Rd., Dundee, was the local site of the official weigh-off for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth on Saturday, Oct. 2. Due to some problems with the scale, this year’s weigh-off got off to a late start, but the results were worth waiting for. The winner at this year’s local contest was Bob Wells of Ann Arbor. Mr. Wells, who has entered the contest regularly, grew a pumpkin this year that weighed in at 800 pounds. The top weights from each weigh-off site are compiled to decide overall winners. Second place went to Kevin Livingston of Brighton, with a 690-pound pumpkin. Third place went to Tina Wells of Ann Arbor, with a 635-pound entry. Fourth place was a 505-pound pumpkin raised by Allan Gasper of Monroe. Fifth place went to Trevor Wells of Ann Arbor with a 435-pound pumpkin and Ron Heiden of Dundee earned sixth place with a pumpkin weighing in at 400 pounds. The best-appearing pumpkin was raised by the Harnica Kids of Dundee. The heaviest watermelon was a 120-pound behemoth raised by Darrel Berry of Linden, who also raised the heaviest tomato at one pound, five ounces. The longest gourd measured 79 inches and was raised by Bob Wells of Ann Arbor, who also had the heaviest squash, at 625 pounds. “A new world record for the heaviest pumpkin was grown by Al Eaton of Richmond, Ontario,” said John Harnica of Dundee. “It weighed 1,446 pounds.” He added, “This year, nationally, the 20th place pumpkin weighed in at 1,000 pounds.” That’s a challenge to all local pumpkin growers. Michigan has good soil and usually plenty of rain. But this year, too much rain spoiled some giant pumpkin-growing efforts. The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth has seen its network grow to 23 sites for this year’s contest. The GPC offered almost $10,000 in prizes in addition to those awarded at local sites. The first place national winner took home $2,000; second place $1,000; third place $750; fourth through seventh places $500; eighth through 10th place $250; and 11th through 20th place $100. Local prizes were: first place $300; second place, $200; third place, $100; fourth place, $50; and fifth place $25. There was a $25 cash prize for the best appearing pumpkin.
		Dave Harnica, Brian Bogi and Paul Bogi helped unload and weigh pumpkins at the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Saturday, Oct. 2. The event was held at the Harnica Kids Pumpkin Farm on Bigelow Road, and was won by an 800-pound pumpkin, raised by Bob Wells of Ann Arbor.