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Great Pumpkinfest attracts thousands to Wellington

Wellington was awash in orange Saturday as thousands of County residents and visitors celebrated the 14th annual Pumpkinfest under a clear, sunny sky.

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

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.
Other local results:
17th – Sheila Huffman, of Ameliasburgh, 655.00
18th – Dan Langridge, of Picton, 632.80
19th – Sarah Langridge, of Picton, 617.00
21st – David Leeworthy, of Ameliasburgh, 462.80
22nd – Kaleigh Leeworthy, of Ameliasburgh, 205.40
23rd – Valitalo Ward, of Wellington, 180.80
24th – Mario Spinosa, of Milford, 169.20

Shirley Vandor, of Ormstown, Que., took top squash with her 749.80 entry but the Langridge family, of Picton, earned second, third and fourth spots with Shannon’s 560.20 squash, Sarah’s 445.80 entry and Dan’s weighing in at 392.40.

The largest watermelons all came from Prince Edward County as David Leeworthy took top spot at 94 pounds and Sarah, Shannon and Dan Langridge entered winners at 83.60, 79 and 61.20 pounds.

Field Pumpkin winner was John Lyons, of Baltimore with his 103 pound entry, followed by Chris Lyons of Scarborough with 88.60
Sue Vincent placed third with 51.60, followed by Sarah Langridge at 45.20; Dan Langridge at 45; John Vincent at 44.40 and Shannon Langridge at 43.80.

See all the results here

Ready… Set… GROW! – 14th Annual PEC Pumpkinfest

2009 Pumpkin Weigh-Off winner Todd Kline and his champion pumpkin of 1185.6 lbs.

A parade, food, fun, and plenty of pumpkins highlight the 14th annual Prince Edward County Pumpkinfest in Wellington Saturday, Oct. 16. 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 the 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 over an hour and draws literally thousands of awe struck spectators as the Giant Pumpkins are paraded down Main St. 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. Phil and Jane Hunt, hold the Canadian record pumpkin title in 2009 at Port Elgin at 1678 lbs., will be attending and entering a pumpkin.
Other vegetables exhibited at the weigh off include, giant squash, Long Gourds, Giant Watermelons, Tall Sunflowers and Giant Tomatoes. 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”.

2009 PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF RESULTS

1. Todd Kline Shawville, Quebec                        1185.8 lbs.
2. John Vincent Northport, Ontario                  1059.6 lbs.
3. Irv Gill Napanee, Ontario                                1052.8 lbs.
4. Phil Joynson Enniskillen, Ontario                1043.4 lbs.
5. Harley Sproule Ormstown, Quebec               1019.4 lbs.
6. Glenn Huffman Ameliasburgh, Ontario         979.4 lbs.
7. Chris Lyons Scarborough, Ontario                   916.4 lbs.
8. Carrie Gill Bowmanville, Ontario                     871.6 lbs.
9. Max Johnston Picton, Ontario                          854.6 lbs.
10. Noah McGill Northport, Ontario                    839.8 lbs.

PUMPKINFEST SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15TH

House Decorating Contest: 1st Prize $100 – 2nd Prize $50 – 3rd Prize $25
5PM – 7:30 PM Steak BBQ at Allisonville Hall, sponsored by the Wellington Elks

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16TH

8AM – 10:30AM – Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at the Wellington Town Hall, sponsored by Friends of the Wellington Heritage Museum
9AM – “Apple Dumplings” Hillier Women’s Institute – Foodland Parking Lot
– Craft Tables / Artisans / Community Booths at the Wellington park & CML Snider school
– Pumpkinfest Clothing for Sale! at the weigh-off site at CML
– “Schedule of Events flyers” available at SideStreet Gallery.
– Kid’s Games & Bake Sale at CML Snider front lawn – Sponsored by the CML School Council, Heritage Monuments & Bay Meadows Trailer Park
– Petting Zoo in the park – Sponsored by the Wellington Rotary Club
10AM – Lions Club Hotdogs at CML Snider School front lawn
10AM – Pumpkin Carving Contest – Carved pumpkins are to be dropped off at the entrance to the park. Please include a card with your name, age and phone number. Categories: Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-adult. Judging will take place during the day. *1st place awards will be given out at 3pm
– Pumpkin Sales & Guess the Weight Contest – in front of Wellington Park. Sponsored by the Wellington Rotary Club.
10AM – 4 PM – Craft Show & Sale at the Anglican Church Parish Hall
– Wellington Museum Offers – crafters, exhibits open, quilt draw. Also, horse-drawn wagon rides (after the parade)
10:30AM – PUMPKINFEST PARADE – Leaving Belleville St. and travelling west along Main St. to Consecon St.
11AM – Shriners Balloon Twisting in the Park. Sponsored by the Pumpkinfest Committee and the Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Company.
11AM – Hamburgs / Hotdogs / Sausages / Drinks at Wellington Park. Sponsored by the Masons
11AM – 2PM – Children’s Games & Mini Golf at CML Snider School. Sponsored by the Pumpkinfest Committee & the CML Snider Parents Association
11AM – 2PM – Rock Climbing Wall in the park – Sponsored by the Wellington Times
11:30AM – U.C.W. Chicken & Biscuit Luncheon & Bazaar – at Wellington United Church
11:30AM – NOON – Picton Legion Pipe Band performing at the Wellington Park. Sponsored by the Pumpkinfest Committee.
11 AM – 12:30 PM – Road Hockey with the “Dukes” – Kids… bring your hockey stick and play road hockey with the Wellington Dukes! South tarmac at CML Snider school. Ages: 6-9, 10-13, 13-15. Helmets optional
12:30PM – Antique Vehicle Display at Pierson’s Foodland parking lot
12:30PM – OPENING CEREMONIES with James Hurst at Wellington School. Parade winners will be announced and awards presented. Sponsored by Wellington Lions Club.
1 PM – Weigh-in of GIANT PUMPKINS at CML Snider School
2:30PM – “Grandpa’s Goodtime Gang” Sponsored by the Pumpkinfest Committee, in the Town Hall.
12:30PM – Cold Creek Cloggers at the Gazebo.
1:30PM Rising Stars Perform – at the Gazebo
2:30PM – Awards Ceremony at CML Snider school
4:30PM – REMOVE YOUR CARVED PUMPKINS FROM THE CENOTAPH… PLEASE!

*Washrooms, including washrooms with wheelchair access are available at the Town Hall, Park, Weigh-Off site and the Library
*Parade viewing area for those with physical disabilities will be in front of United Church
*NO VEHICLES PLEASE

Article by: John Vincent
Photo from PECPGA 2009 Fall Newsletter

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