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The vision for a giant pumpkin contest in South Dakota was born out of
"Bill's Garden", a garden-oriented variety show on KSOO radio 1140 AM
in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The first weigh-off was held the 2nd
Saturday in October of 1995 at the site of the "Downtown Farmer's
Market" in Sioux Falls. The 1st weigh-off, as well as each ensuing
weigh-off through 1998, concluded with an auction of "Atlantic Giant"
pumpkins and other donated pumpkin-related accesories. Proceeds from
the auctions were given to a local charity each year. As both
experienced and new growers increased their interest in growing bigger pumpkins, two new opportunities developed.
First, an educational grower's seminar was added, initially held
each winter on the campus of South Dakota State University, and in
recent years held at the Fry'n Pan Restaurant in Sioux Falls. This
meeting is the annual opportunity for growers and prospective growers
to obtain "Atlantic Giant" pumpkin seeds at no cost. These seeds
are carefully selected from previous large pumpkins with good
characteristics such as wall thickness, color, and, of course, weight.
The 2nd opportunity that has developed for growers is the popular
"Summer Social", held in August each year at a different growers pumpkin patch.
This gathering provides a good opportunity for fellowship, onsight
trouble-shooting and growing tips, and always seems to generate even
more excitement for the upcoming October weigh-off. In recent years
the weigh-off has been held at the Country Orchard just south of Sioux Falls.
The auctioning off of pumpkins has been eliminated, many growers
preferring instead to use their pumpkins for both further displaying and
encouraging others to "give it a try". New growers are entering the
friendly competition each year and are finding that more established
growers are readily willing to share their growing experiences.
In
2003 a significant milestone was reached when Greg Kurkowski of
Watertown, South Dakota
entered a one-thousand and one-half lb. pumpkin, the first to break
the 1,000 lb. barrier at the South Dakota weigh-off. It is important to
note that growers from surrounding states are welcome to enter their
pumpkins in the South Dakota weigh-off. The vision shared by the
growers is to encourage and welcome both new and prospective growers,
regardless of their address. With the 10th anniversary weigh-off
coming in 2004, excitement and expectations for more and bigger
pumpkins are high. 1100, 1200, 1500 lbs? Let the seeds be planted!
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