A new pumpkin king has been crowned.
Ben Hebb, of Wileville, Lunenburg County, entered his sole giant pumpkin into the 27th annual Windsor-West Hants Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off Oct. 1, wondering if it would tip the scales and earn him the top spot.
Hebb, who is no stranger to the competition — placing in the Top 3 on numerous occasions since 1993, was awarded the top prize. His pumpkin weighed in at 1,227 pounds (about 557 kilograms).
“I thought I'd be in the top two or three. It's something I don't take for granted, so it is what it is,” said Hebb after winning.
When asked how he grew another award-winning pumpkin, he said it has to do with seed genetics and general growing knowledge.
“It wasn't a great year weather-wise but the pumpkin just grew slow and steady,” said Hebb.
Jeff Reid, of Waterville, was bumped from his first place finish last year, earning second this year with a pumpkin weighing in at 1,084 pounds (492 kilograms).
Tom Dudka, of New Germany, rounded out the top pumpkin growers with his submission of a 991 pound (449.5 kilogram) pumpkin.
Both Reid and Dudka said it was challenging growing giant pumpkins this year.
“It was really bad this year. Not a lot of sun, raining all the time, and just... not enough night temperatures. Night-time temperatures were very low, and it was just a really rough year,” said Reid.
Dudka, who has competed for seven years, was pleased with his Top 3 finish and has big plans for next year.
“That's my biggest one. I'd have loved to get that other nine pounds to make it 1,000,” said Dudka.
It was also his first year growing oversized squash. He placed fourth with a 569 pound (258 kilogram) gourd.
He said he was bitten by the giant pumpkin growing bug when he saw one in a farmer’s field. Dudka and Reid both plan to compete again next year. Hebb said he’ll decide in the spring.
The only Hants County giant pumpkin to make the Top 10 was Danny Dill’s 949 pound (430.5 kilogram) entry. It came seventh.
As for the heaviest squash, Al Aten, of Springvale, PEI, grew the largest. It weighed 936 pounds (425 kilograms). Will Neily, of Paradise, and Tom Corkum, of Berwick, rounded out the Top 3. Neily’s squash weighed 749 pounds (340 kilograms) and Corkum’s gourd weighed 606 pounds (275 kilograms).
The only Hants County giant squash to make the Top 10 was submitted by Aiden Macumber of Newport. The nine-year-old youth's entry, which placed 10th overall, weighed 306 pounds (139 kilograms).
Betty and John McKinnon both submitted 162 pound (73.5 kilogram) field pumpkins, which as of Oct. 1, was hefty enough to make them current world record holders. The pair are from Strathlorne, Nova Scotia. PEI’s Aten came second in the category with a pumpkin weighing 142 pounds (64 kilograms). Third place went to Ken McInnis, of Hubbards, for his 115 pound (52 kilogram) entry.
Danny Dill was the only Hants County grower in the Top 5. His field pumpkin weighed 72 pounds (33 kilograms).
As for growing the heaviest watermelon, a Windsor resident took first place. Alisha Bowes Trinacty grew a 37 pound (17 kilogram) brute. Thomas Murphy and Emma Murphy, both of Berwick, rounded out the Top 3 in that category, growing a 34 pound (15 kilogram) and 29 pound (13 kilogram) watermelon respectively.
The heaviest tomato, weighing 1.144 kilograms, came from the garden of Middleton resident Mary Moore.
The longest gourd was grown by Ronald and Teddy Crowell, of Woods Harbour. It measured 117.5 inches (298.5 centimetres).
The tallest corn plant, measuring 130.25 inches (330.8 centimetres), was grown by Tom Corkum of Berwick.
In the pumpkin dessert contest, two Windsor residents placed in the Top 5. Windsor’s Donna Wilson earned first place, followed by fellow Windsorian Patti Trinacty. Rounding out the Top 5 were Sophie Trinacty of St. Margaret’s Bay, Diana MacDonald, of Chateau Village, and Eileen Barker, of Mill Section.
The Top 3 spots in the pumpkin painting contest and the pumpkin carving contest were all held by Windsor residents.
For the pumpkin painting contest, Barbara Jones placed first followed by Darlene Taylor and Evangeline Macleod.
For the pumpkin carving contest, Jocelyn Jollymore placed first followed by Donna Jollymore and Stephanie Moore.
The Annapolis Valley Giant Vegetable Growers annually present the Hilda Dill Award to the person who grew the most perfect pumpkin. This year’s winner was Windsor’s Danny Dill.
The 2011 GPC Howard Dill Award, presented by the Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth to the grower of the most perfect pumpkin in colour, shape and texture, went to Diana MacDonald, from Chateau Village.
