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New York

For those who may be interested, today is the 30th anniversary of what I consider the birth of the modern day giant we now enjoy. 30 years ago today, 5 pumpkins smashed the 491.5 record.....with all 5 going over 550 pounds each. The day ended with Norm Gallagher recording a new record at 612 pounds (going right past the long standing 500 goal). For us old timers in the hobby, 612 was really a shock...one which many wondered how many years it would take to beat. History has shown it was only the start of bigger things to come, but in it’s day, many wondered how many years it would last. Amazing how far things have come.

10/8/2014 5:35:28 PM

Rhode Island

so true alan. good to hear from you
pap

10/8/2014 6:15:07 PM

Wixom MI.

Hard to beleive how far pumpkin growing has come. If someone would have made a prediction that we would grow a 2000 lbs. Pumpkin they would have been put into a mental hospitol !!! So if i say that we will grow a 30 lbs tomato in the next 30 years, will i be safe to walk around or are they comming to take me away ??? Lol....buba asked me to say that !!! Lol....:-)

10/8/2014 6:35:14 PM

East Jordan, MI

thanks for sharing Alan.

10/8/2014 6:56:00 PM

Western NY

hmmm, will we be pushing 3500# in another 30 years?

10/8/2014 7:13:16 PM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

andy
I hope Iam still around to see 2 tons..
BP

10/8/2014 7:27:09 PM

Hamburg, NY

Alan a lot of things have happened. The World Pumpkin Confederation gave Norm Gallagher $10K for that effort way back then. I guess the only thing that has not kept pace is the prize money! A world record should be netting $100K minimum! Most know the first 1,000 lber received $53K from the WPC also. How do we get back on track? I'd be willing to take a look at this............. Ray Waterman

10/8/2014 7:28:27 PM

Muddy Waters

It will get there Ray,very soon

10/8/2014 7:49:14 PM

Washington State

Norm Gallagher was from Chelan Washington. We were on vacation there the next summer, and Joel said he wanted to look him up and go visit. That was the beginning of our pumpkin growing career. Norm and Ruth were wonderful people, very kind. To see how he grew his pumpkins inside a greenhouse with the vines overhead was amazing!

10/8/2014 9:34:47 PM

Seattle, WA

Thanks for sharing, it's fun to hear the history and how far things have gone since then.

10/8/2014 11:46:08 PM

Knopp, Germany

I agree thanks for sharing, would be great if other long time growers like Alan, Ray and Joel would also share!

10/9/2014 12:20:12 AM

Cornelius, Oregon

I cant believe how the hobby/sport/obsession has grown in the number of people are growing. There were not many people worldwide that had a chance to grow a world record even when I started growing. With no internet it was difficult to find information. I grew for a few years without even knowing about Atlantic Giants and what the heck was a weighoff??? Just a kid and his grandpa out to beat the neighbors. Then in 1992 I discovered Howard Dill and the Atlantic Giant sifting through microfilm of newspapers from the east coast and eventually finding Half Moon Bay and at last... Tallina's Weighoff in Carver Oregon where I met Kirk Mombert, The Hollands, The Emmons and The Glasiers. I think Jack and Sherrie Larue were there and some other upstart named Daletas. Remember Steve Hoult and his 1000 pound disaster a year before The Zehr's and Bill Greer crossed the 1000 pound mark. Remember when the squash world record was actually more than the Pumpkin. Ahhh the 567 Mombert. The 900.8 (yes it was .8, I found the picture) The 697 Ciliberto. 801 Stelts and the 846 Calai.

10/9/2014 11:37:15 AM

Griffith, In

Why does it have to be about the money??? When too much money comes into play, greed overshadows the truly good parts of this hobby. In growing, I have made some amazing friendships, met alot of incredibly generous people, learned so many new things about gardening, and seen some very awesome giant pumpkins!!!

10/9/2014 11:49:16 AM

Joliet, IL

it is crazy just since the time in 2002 I asked a good buddy to borrow his rotatiller cuz I wanted to grow what I thought was a big pumpkin maybe as wide as an old clothes basket. But my friend said google Atlantic Giants. And when I did Geneva had tge record of 1269 I think. I have seen my own progression along with the incredible weights increasing at silly rates.....

but what fascinates me most is those early days I never new existed. It would be great to have a "Historical Section" here where anyone with old articles or newspaper clippings, and pictures of the first weigh offs and pumpkins......with the technology today it would be great to have everyone willing to take the time to share their stories and experiences and pics ob one designated place for all to enjoy. just an idea but the early pioneers fascinate me the most.

10/9/2014 8:47:27 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Here's a couple from the vault Shaz, Bob Ford with his WR 451 lb'er in 1976 and a pic of Howard and Bob earlier in their careers.

Bob Ford WR Pumpkin- http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=148448

Howard and Bob Ford- http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=148450

10/9/2014 9:37:03 PM

Joliet, IL

great pics Andy!!!....the fire-in-the-belly competitive juices in those first pioneers shows in their eyes and smiles in these old pics...they were pushing the limits.....true pioneer spirit.......

...and just when you think there is a limit......your mind is blown again.....like this year.....love it

10/9/2014 10:05:18 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I love these posts! Thank you!

10/10/2014 6:07:33 PM