From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Appleton WI

Ya...would any self respecting kin grower turn up at a weigh off with a 150 lb kin? Or would they just be laughed at and booted out? John Hoepfner Appleton, WI

9/3/2014 6:47:50 PM

Concord, CA.

Go for it. It's all about participation!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=210435

9/3/2014 7:07:13 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Yes, I would bring a 150 lber. It doesn't matter how big your pumpkin is, weigh-offs are about meeting new people, learning things & having a good time.

9/3/2014 7:07:55 PM

Quincy, CA

I plan to go to a couple of weigh-offs this year with pumpkins much smaller than my PB.
It's great to get together with your pumpkin-growing friends that you only see a couple of times a year.
Also a chance to get some tips from the heavy hitters.

9/3/2014 7:34:22 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

My first pumpkin weighed just 176.6#, but I entered it and had fun. I met the growers, got some advice and better seeds and hit 633.5 the next year. I say take it and be proud of it. Its better than the growers who got wiped out (happened to me a few times) or those who are afraid to try growing one.

9/3/2014 7:42:56 PM

East Jordan, MI

its more about the journey and the fellowship than the end result. I have never met a pumpkin grower that would laugh at someone because they had a small pumpkin. Best group of people you will ever meet and if you walk up and introduce yourself and ask them about their pumpkin you will learn from them if you aren't shy and give them a chance to share their passion.

9/3/2014 8:17:41 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

do it! you'll have a great day. If you don't have the fever you will after meeting all those wonderful people.

9/3/2014 8:24:11 PM

Appleton WI

hey to you all thanks Appreciated the nice feedback
John Hoepfner Appleton, WI

9/3/2014 8:24:47 PM

Claysburg , PA

Take your pumpkin to the weigh off . I usually bring small ones but it isn`t all about the weight . It getting to see some growers that you may not see but once a year or every again . Pumpkin talk , it does not get much better than that .

9/3/2014 8:32:08 PM

Princeton Kentucky

Also fluffy if you've got a good cross in genetics its good to have it Officialy Weighed at a GPC weigh-off. Have Fun!!

9/3/2014 8:38:36 PM

Bloomington Indiana

last year my FP was bigger than my AG no lie. Ag like 86 lbs. FP 118 lbs.

9/3/2014 8:39:19 PM

South Dakota

Bring it!! It's all about all the great friends you will make!

9/3/2014 9:02:53 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

YES.....a 150 lb pumpkin is not a small pumpkin or a small accomplishment. You'll meet someone who will mentor you and help you grow a 300 lb pumpkin for next year.

9/3/2014 10:54:03 PM

Dorval,Quebec

congrats and go for it...listen to other growers and pick up some tips.

9/3/2014 11:05:23 PM

Torrance, Ca.

What North Shore Glenn said!

9/3/2014 11:25:49 PM

Hanson Ma

My second pumpkin was 176.5 I came in second to last. But I got to meet people who have helped me get 2 personal bests this year. It's always nice to bring something big but as they say if you got it to the scale you did a good job.

9/4/2014 6:01:03 AM

Stanwood, Washington

two years ago I took a 177.5 and a 161.5 to the weigh offs. They were the only ones i was able to get to the scales in tact. They were small but I still had a blast.

9/4/2014 11:24:50 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Not everyone has conditions suitable for growing WR pumpkins. There are a lot of backyard growers like me, Chris Dunn and Jim in our area. The environmental constraints are different. All of have had seasons where we didn't have any pumpkin to take to the weigh-off. Cecil is dead on. This community is welcoming to all growers.

9/4/2014 12:06:48 PM

West Paris Me.

My first pumpkin was 200-300. I brought it to the fair, no one made me feel badly. I was welcomed, and I was happy for the people who grew bigger ones. From there I was hooked. I learned as much as I could. Every year I try to beat my personal best. My competition is me against me. If I were to worry that mine wouldn't be the biggest there would be a lot of weighoffs that I would have missed.

9/4/2014 2:09:19 PM

Rhode Island

anyone who would make a smart remark or think you did not belong at a weigh-off because of a smaller pumpkin has obviously never grown a small pumpkin ---either that or they somehow forgot their roots in the hobby.
probably the first thought rather than the second.
pap

9/4/2014 5:30:46 PM

Colorado

I'd weigh it. Weighoffs is fun.Plus you've got a accurate target to try to beat next year.

9/4/2014 5:32:24 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Just because I killed all my pumpkins your talking smack KC Kevin!!! Lol

Nothing better,,,,,,,pumpkin or no pumpkin then a day at the weigh off with friends you may only see that day! It's only going to get you more pumped for next season;)

9/4/2014 6:25:36 PM

Appleton WI

hey to all who have responded so far Thanks for all the nice comments... I will be at Cedarburg, WI Sept 20. for their 2014 Weigh off. John Hoepfner

9/4/2014 7:47:26 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

You know what they say, Size doesn't matter, it's if ya don't get er to the scale that makes ya fail!!!

9/4/2014 8:43:24 PM

Cincinnati,OH

I have brought one as small as 171 lbs.
And even if you finish last, you know what, you finished.

9/4/2014 10:03:29 PM

Bethlehem CT

I would definitely bring it. I have been there before myself. We all start out in the same place, you will meet some really awesome people at the weigh off. I can talk to pumpkin growers for hours.

9/5/2014 7:26:44 AM

Upa Creek, MO

To answer your question, from what I hear, you'll be very welcome and everything is appreciated.

As everything else, it is all relative. For me personally, no. I won't make the drive to verify something I already know unless I am over a minimum. Where you lose, you gain and I'll be getting a new Quantum with savings in gas.

9/5/2014 7:50:23 AM

Tinykinville

well john there is many reasons to go to wi weighoff one being it will put you in line for a possible most improved for next year and i will personally garentee no one will laugh we have small pumpkins all the time and encourage them to be brought to weighoffs you worked for it you might as well get it to the scale its not that easy of a thing to do. and another reason is youll be able to talk to many growers that will help answer any question you have to give you a jump start next year.

9/5/2014 5:28:27 PM

Appleton WI

Again Thanks to all who responded Appreciated hearing from you all see some of you at Cederburg WI on the 20th
John Hoepfner Appleton, WI

My biggest problem is my spouse she thinks that I spend tooo much time doing this frivolous activity....go figure Get divorced over a PUMPKIN hope not I just love trying to Grow Plants JH

9/5/2014 8:18:33 PM

Appleton WI

Ya what about a non interested spouse anyone got any comment excluding DIVORCE Smile Really. This really bugs me Here I am just trying to grow a respectable size pumpkin and my wife is viral saying that this activity is consuming me and that our vacation was deleted because of it and on an on.....Go Figure I am not out trying to rob a BANK

9/7/2014 7:25:06 PM

Torrance, Ca.

lol, you will learn to plan warm winter paradise vacations:)

November and March are excellent!

9/7/2014 7:44:36 PM