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Dresden, Ohio

I am taking advice from Wayne and posting this message in the New Growers Forum.

2008 will be my second year trying to grow a giant pumpkin. 2007 was horrible because I thought I could just put a seed in the ground and it would grow over 1000 pounds. After I pulled my sorry looking plants out of the ground in June, I realized I had a lot to learn.

So I would like to put on a competition for pumpkin growers in 2008.

Here are a few ideas:

-entry fee of $5 or $10 per pumpkin
-grower's personal best less than 500 pounds?
-closest to 500 pounds wins
-75% payout to winner, 25% to charity

There are a few ideas. I would love to hear more ideas, and would like to see how much interest there is in an idea like this. Thanks!

1/12/2008 8:07:50 AM

Minnesota

If it gets going I'll do it. How about 1/2 to winner, 1/2 to orange angel foundation.

1/12/2008 10:10:40 AM

Dresden, Ohio

Payout percentages are open with me. I think it would help a good cause and be fun for growers that aren't "heavy hitters".

1/12/2008 11:13:12 AM

Pinedale, WY

When do you have to sign up by? If I know I have a pumpkin in the patch that is close, then I can sign up? Or sign up before you put it in the ground would be cool.

1/12/2008 11:20:03 AM

Dresden, Ohio

I think there should be a cut-off date to sign up. Possibly mid-April?

Other suggestions would be:
-must be officially weighed-in
-seeds given as other prizes?
-no damaged pumpkins

I'm also open to suggestions on a weight. Is 500 pounds good, or does it need to be less/more?

1/12/2008 11:32:25 AM

Minnesota

Whats the objective of it, heaviest? an exact weight 500, 1,000, 1,500.

1/12/2008 1:25:42 PM

Dresden, Ohio

Fogsurfer,

I'm open to suggestions on weight. I guess I would be leaning towards heaviest of the bunch. Also open to suggestions on grower's personal best weight before entering competition.

1/12/2008 1:29:45 PM

Pinedale, WY

Another idea, is pool growers together based on Personal Best. Then have a competition for them, with the same basis of putting some money in and some go to a grower and some to charity. Last year was my first year and mine was 212 lbs. So I can't compete at our local weigh off, but I might be able to compete with someone in my class for fun. I will still bring whatever I grow to the local weigh off.

1/12/2008 2:55:23 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Pap had a great idea, have catagories 0-299 300-399 etc the grower closest to 299 or 399 etc wins.

1/12/2008 3:54:49 PM

Minnesota

Does that mean if I had 300 I would'nt win at 299 because you have to go up to 399 once you pass 299?

1/12/2008 4:00:05 PM

Frankfort Oh

pumpkin guy)paps post make sence ! 399 ,499, 599,etc ,etc ,,if you close it to only 500lbs,,,your going to limit,,,,your entrys,,,and have little takers ,,another words ,,not really enough money to do anything with!,,so as people send in there monies, you need to post there name!and i would extend time to may 1st,,,as your dead line,, cause, most people , dont start there diaries untill then ,,i`ll help much as i can ,,,,far as (prizes) go you can pay down far as you want,,long as it`s set before,,, you start the contest,,,,,alot of big growers ,,,will be glad to donate seeds just for the simple asking !our friend on big pumpkins hosted a >>>>>make up a christmas carol useing pumpkin stuff<<<<like growers names pumpkin stuff,etc etc,,and lots of people had fun with it !!!I won the biggest brown nose award ,,,,and i couldn`t of been happier,,,,got some really good seeds out of the deal,,,people Like seeds!good luck with it ,,,hope it`s a success!Rob

1/12/2008 6:26:05 PM

Dresden, Ohio

I like Pap's idea of the different classes (200-299, 300-399, etc.), but how many classes should there be? The more classes there are, the less the prize money. Possibly 0-299, 300-499, 500-749, 750-999, 1000+? Would almost need to be $10 per entry to make it worth while with the different classes. Great suggestions. Keep them coming.

1/12/2008 7:00:08 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Okay, since I am gettin a pat on the back, how bout this...Guy...25% to largest (only newbies allowed...less than 500# PB), 25% for closest to 500#(again, only nu/B's allowed)...and 50% to OAF... where do I send my entry fee's...$10 per pkn sounds like a # that I could send for all 4 of my 08 plants!!! Peace, Wayne

1/12/2008 7:12:13 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

littlebit, don't underestimate how big the crowd is, that grow with all they have to give!!! and have not passed the 500# mark!!! I know I fall in that group!!! Pkn guy, I hope this works out, and count me IN!!! Peace, Wayne
PS..also think that "official" weight is a good idea...so's all of us attend an "official" weigh off!!! Makes for good ideas for next year!!!

1/12/2008 7:22:10 PM

Minnesota

a 1/4 to oaf, 1/4 to biggest, 1/4 to best looking, 1/4 to biggest pumpkin for 1st time people have never brought something to be weighed at a weigh off.

1/12/2008 7:32:15 PM

Ont (jjb22hornet@hotmail.com)

I think there should be categories such is the biggest pumpkin for
1 BEGINERS-1st and 2nd year growing (competition)
2 ALITTLE EXPERIANCE-3rd to 5th year growing
3 EXPERTS-6 years or more growing

split money 25% 1, 25% 2, 25% 3 and 25% to charity
There would have to be a cut off date to enter by early summer to make it a sucess in my opinion.
Who would you include The State, The US or Countries (everyone)

1/12/2008 10:02:12 PM

Dresden, Ohio

I still think I like Pap's idea about the classes. That way, the different levels of growing are already separated. If the contest would be allowed to newbies only, that might limit the amount of entries. If you go by experience, you could get one or two people that might have 10 years expierience, but say they only have two years.

Here is what I was thinking:
- 0-300 pounds, 301-500 pounds, 501-750 pounds, 751-1000 pounds, and 1000+ pounds
- Payouts of 15% to each class (5 classes X 15% = 75%), and 25% to Orange Angel Foundation
- $10 per pumpkin, entry deadline of May 15th
- use PayPal for entry fees(There would be a fee charged on the money by PayPal for using their service, 60 cents on each entry I believe, so prizes would be based on $9.40 each entry); I know this takes a little bit of money away, but that way there is official documentation of payment and no "I sent it and now I'm out my $10".
- $2 optional extra to be entered into best looking pumpkin; winner take all; to be posted on BigPumpkins and judged by other growers
- each person can win only 1 class
- if there is a class that has no winner, that 15% will be split between the remaining classes
- must be weighed in officially at a weigh-off; no damaged or estimated pumpkins
- cut-off date for competition?; not sure when the last weigh-offs are
- seeds for 2nd -5th place in each class
- competition open to any country

Tell me what you think, and how much interest there is. Thanks!

1/13/2008 10:23:43 AM

Dresden, Ohio

Also, the names and state/country of all growers in the competition will be available May 16th. That way people will know who all is in the competition.

1/13/2008 10:25:17 AM

Coventry R.I.

i like pap,s idea also,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

1/13/2008 10:27:15 AM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

Count me in

1/13/2008 11:30:42 AM

Frankfort Oh

Wayne only hope the best for you my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!hope you win,,,Rob

1/13/2008 8:08:52 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

No offence, but allow everybody, I havent grown a pumpkin over 453, BUT I have been growing since 2001.

Last yr a Newbie grew one over 1100 pounds. Beat the crap out of my 399 lol. But I am happy for the newbie.

So open to everybody the charity will get more money. (I asume that it will still be the samen charity???

1/14/2008 1:30:37 PM

Dresden, Ohio

There seems to be only about 8-10 people that have shown any interest, and 15% wouldn't be worth it to some of the growers. Maybe it's an idea someone can run with in 2009. Thanks for your suggestions though.
-Jeremy

1/15/2008 3:11:22 PM

Somers, CT

I think anyone who grew one upside down last year gets the 15%.

1/15/2008 6:24:31 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

AS a person who has helped with many many charities, every penny adds up.

Heres an idea, money could go to examples the howard fund. we could turn this into a fundraiser

1/16/2008 9:50:53 PM

Mesa, Arizona

Hmmmmm... I think it would be cool but I don't think I have much of a chance in Arizona. I know.... excuses, excuses....

1/31/2008 6:57:39 PM

Frankfort Oh

lol,,,Jenny ,,,you have the sun!!but the wind really sucks out there

1/31/2008 8:42:26 PM