Great Pumpkinfest attracts a crop of heavyweights

A parade, food, fun, and plenty of pumpkins highlight the 15th annual Prince Edward County Pumpkinfest in Wellington Saturday, Oct. 15.
The festival was started in 1997 by the late Bill Greer who had a vision to bring the community together for a fall harvest festival and to celebrate the accomplishments of local giant pumpkin growers. Since its inception, Pumpkinfest has grown to be one of Ontario’s premier Giant Pumpkin festivals and weigh-off events.
One of the biggest attractions of the festival is the pumpkin parade which lasts more than an hour and draws literally thousands of awe struck spectators as the Giant Pumpkins are paraded down the main street of Wellington.
The Giant pumpkin weigh-off attracts some of the largest pumpkins in the province. The weigh-off is the cornerstone of the festival and attracts growers from great distances to exhibit their gardening achievements.
Other vegetables exhibited at the weigh off include, giant squash, Long Gourds, Giant Watermelons, Tall Sunflowers and Giant Tomatoes. The County’s John Vincent and Brian McGill still hold the squash world record at 1236 lbs.
The Wellington park hosts a wide array of food and craft vendors as well as live entertainment for the day. This is truly a family event with free parking and admission.
Other exhibits include the Prince Edward County Pumpkin growers club and the Prince Edward County Giant Pumpkin and Vegetable 4-H Club. There will be a few 4-H kids entering pumpkins as well or possibly some other giant vegetables and/or sunflowers.  These clubs will also be selling seeds as fundraising, souvenir merchandise and other items to help you learn how to “grow’em big”.
2010 results:
Five of the top six giant pumpkins weighing in at Wellington’s Pumpkinfest, Saturday, were from out of town – but Picton’s John Vincent weighed in the top local pumpkin, scoring sixth place at 1,046 pounds.
Jim and Kelsey Bryson, of Ormstown, Que., took top honours with a 1,404.40-lb pumpkin. Second place, from Chris Lyons, of Scarborough weighed in at 1,258.60 while third went to Todd Kline of Shawville, Que., with his 1,224-lb submission. Phil Hunt, of Cameron, won fourth place at 1,080.60.
Sue Vincent captured 10th place with her 849.80 pound entry. Shannon Langridge’s entry weighed in at 782.80 for a 13th place finish, followed by Elmer Daley’s 668.40 14th place winner. Noah McGill, of Northport, earned 15th place with his 661.60-lb pumpkin.