From

Location

Message

Date Posted

NILES , CALIF

There is no information on how they will run the Howard dill contest?
Just show up and they will tell you ?

I thought the gpc was gonna help us out on this
Gpc, do you know before we cut and haul pumpkin to half-moon bay

Please advise us

9/5/2024 9:12:15 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I think it has been clarified in the rules...each contestant gets one vote. That audience applause for someone's idea of the top 3 nonsense has got to stop.

9/5/2024 11:13:18 AM

Topsfield,ma.

We recommend that everyone with a entry get's a vote. But it is the sites decision as to how they do this.

[Last edit: 09/06/24 1:33:41 PM]

9/5/2024 5:31:19 PM

NILES , CALIF

Talked to the half-moon bay pumpkin weigh off ,they pick 3 pumpkins to be judged

He asked me if there was any other way to judge the Howard dills I said yes
each grower there votes and picks the Howard dilL ??

He said NO ONE FROM GPC has called him to change it or talk about it

So Gary Gpc ,what's goin on you could of at least called these people ,
and talked about changing the rules and align with the rest of the pumpkin contest in the country?? your our voice

9/6/2024 4:36:07 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think some things should be left to the individual sites to decide, not sure if they should be pressured to do things different. But a lot of pride goes into those pretty orange pumpkins I do know this. Sometimes you think yours should have won, other times you may win it but you think someone else deserved it more than you did. Its so much easier to judge things by lbs.

Edit:
The HDA contest should probably follow the example of the 150 sq ft contest where rule #1 was to have fun.

Hopefully its fun for someone, the growers, the crowd, or the sponsor.

[Last edit: 09/06/24 5:32:12 PM]

9/6/2024 5:28:51 PM

Nova Scotia

Hopefully I can help in some way here since it involves my late father. Our whole family is very honored that the GPC has dedicated this award in his memory. It has become very popular amongst growers, sites and so forth. Also we see how it has grown with so many fabulous ATLANTIC GIANTS entries over the years. Now to the judging part. Far as I can tell sites are doing a very good job but do see and hear a few "questionable" winners. Maybe perhaps that's the best they had entered and had to award to some grower? Some sites are fortunate to have experienced orange growers/ reps such as ours to do the selection. Others not. We meet discuss after weigh off and present all awards when over. Leaving it to all growers and/or public can be tricky from what I am getting here? Anyhow like Ketchup said have fun. Some contests it is a very difficult decision trust me. And another is, this award should NOT be about prize money my opinion only! What each site does is their business. It is nice to bring this to the table and address it better. Thanks and here's to a great Fall harvest! Danny Dill

9/6/2024 6:55:46 PM

Westmoreland, KS

As Woody said sites have the right to do as they see fit according to the rule:

https://gpc1.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GPC-Rules-and-Handbook-2024.pdf

Page 21

VOTING – There are many ways of determining the winner of this award and all are acceptable,
however the G.P.C. RECOMMENDATIONS are:
Every Giant Pumpkin contestant is given one vote, and they may vote for their own providing it
meets the above criteria

9/6/2024 11:45:42 PM

Washington State

If it ain't broke don't fix it!! Half Moon Bay has had their successful weigh off for over 50 years. The Howard Dill Award is fairly new there, but it involves the large crowd participating and is a lot of fun. Mari Lou

[Last edit: 09/07/24 6:58:18 PM]

9/7/2024 5:47:36 PM

NILES , CALIF

Mary Lou It is broke

9/7/2024 5:52:41 PM

President - GPC

The Committee met this morning, this subject did come up.

The GPC Committee has no plans to change what is currently written regarding the HD Award as listed in the Official GPC Handbook.
https://gpc1.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GPC-Rules-and-Handbook-2024.pdf

Page 21

VOTING – There are many ways of determining the winner of this award and all are acceptable,
however the G.P.C. RECOMMENDATIONS are:
Every Giant Pumpkin contestant is given one vote, and they may vote for their own providing it
meets the above criteria.

Wizzy
President GPC

9/8/2024 2:37:12 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I agree with Art. It's broke because it's a popularity contest. A local grower with friends and family in attendance will always get more applause than someone who's from out of town. That is inherently unfair.

This should be easy; just follow the GPC recommendation.

9/11/2024 1:26:21 PM

Colorado

Growers after a fair HDA should support a different contest then.

9/11/2024 2:24:34 PM

Grittyville, WA

Even if the growers themselves decide, thats not necessarily free from their personal bias or free from being a popularity contest. If three equally great looking pumpkins show up, then no matter how fair it is, there will be two losers. Maybe the fairness could be improved, but I still don't see how you could entirely avoid disappointment.

[Last edit: 09/11/24 2:55:34 PM]

9/11/2024 2:54:31 PM

Jericho Vermont

A simple solution would be to have 2 awards. One to keep the crowd engaged and could be a trophy called "Peoples Prettiest Choice" (or something like that) with no rules and a separate Howard Dill award following the GPC recommendations.

9/11/2024 4:58:42 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

KC Kevin is absolutely correct and that happens!!

HD should be awarded as voted by the entrants at the Weighoff. What a better way to win, voted on by your peers.

9/11/2024 6:15:28 PM