Pumpkins that outweigh the average person may not be a common occurrence, but they’re a staple of the autumn season for those who are familiar with them. Though they’re only grown by a select few people due to difficulties they introduce, contests involving these humongous gourds have been a long-standing tradition in the United States. One such event has been bringing the Fort Collins community together for nearly two decades.
Located on Mulberry Street, not far from Colorado State University’s main campus, the Fort Collins Nursery has been hosting a giant pumpkin weigh-off annually since 2008. While it started as a more casual gathering, the contest has since been certified by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, said Dan Booth, marketing director for the nursery. This promises increased accuracy in the weighing process and the capacity to report state records, attracting not just local growers but those from neighboring states as well.
“GPC is an international governing entity,” said Mark Mourlas, GPC treasurer. “And essentially what we do is we’re coordinating all the rules governing giant pumpkin weigh-offs across the world.”
Globally, there are approximately 130 sites that host these contests in the fall or spring. Here in Fort Collins, it occurs on the second Saturday of each October.
While the highlight of this all-day event is undoubtedly determining whose pumpkin is the heaviest, a host of other activities are included as well. This year’s weigh-off, hosted on Oct. 11, was comprised of pumpkin bowling, face painting, tractor hay rides and food trucks. It drew a large crowd, with the number of attendees estimated at over 1,000, Booth said.
“I would say there’s usually a pretty darn good crowd, especially in Fort Collins; … a ton of community support comes out,” said Brad Bledsoe, a local grower and current record holder for the heaviest pumpkin grown in Colorado. The event provides an opportunity to not just see an unusual sight, but to come together and celebrate agriculture.
“I think when people see the big pumpkins, they smile. … I think it cheers people up.” –Jason Serna, Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers president
One of only four events hosted in Colorado, Fort Collins Nursery’s weigh-offs frequently see veteran contestants returning. However, local growers and those who have recently taken up the hobby occasionally rock the scene. The giant vegetable community always welcomes those trying out the hobby for the first time, sharing information and materials to help them get started.
“We love to encourage growing and for people to have fun with it, and this is kind of the pinnacle of fun things you can do with growing,” Booth said.
The competition also contained several other categories of giant fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, different types of gourds and carrots were all displayed, with the winner of the latter breaking the previous state record. Fort Collins Nursery hosts a children’s division in pumpkins as well, meant to encourage the next generation of growers.
“It’s nice to see younger people coming in, and we want to get more kids involved in it,” said Jason Serna, president of nonprofit growing club Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers. While weigh-offs and similar events are typically hosted for just a couple months in the fall, giant pumpkins are a year-round process.
Though there’s no question that harvest season is the busiest, growers and the RMGVG are active all year. Whether it’s hosting classes, sharing seeds or consulting each other for ideas and tips, they remain in motion through the months, Serna said. Interest in giant pumpkins has continued to grow, and community outreach is an important goal.
“I think when people see the big pumpkins, they smile,” Serna said. “I think it cheers people up.”
The RMGVG recently began an initiative to bring the large produce to nursing homes, allowing elderly residents to enjoy the experience in a more accessible setting.
After weigh-offs are complete, pumpkins are often displayed at various locations to allow for more public viewing opportunities. Frequently, they are carved into giant jack-o-lanterns after being harvested for seeds, Bledsoe said. This year, one such display was put on by The Gardens on Spring Creek.
While these gourds are edible, they typically aren’t consumed due to the amount of time they’re used for community engagement. But the produce doesn’t go to waste; it’s usually donated to farm or zoo animals after the season ends, Booth said.
Reach Hayley Bisant at life@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.
