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South Carolina

I don't usually do things like this, but I have to vent...

I've posted to my diary how my 7 year old son's 503 lb Howard Dill Award winning pumpkin, selfed off of the 1399 Christensen was treated at our SC State Fair. I can't even put into words how upset and saddened we are by this. Everyone in this community knows how hard we all work and the dedication it takes to do what we do... It's hard enough to grow in the south, and now this.... Breaks my heart.

Below should be the link:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=267865

10/23/2016 11:34:54 PM

Germany

Holy crap!!!

10/24/2016 3:04:03 AM

Hanson Ma

Wow. Sorry to hear and see that.

10/24/2016 5:22:41 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Yeah that sucks. This is why when we get paid to display the pumpkin, there is a hefty deposit fee, and the contract states you are paying to for the display and carving of the giant pumpkin. The seeds are property of Engel's Great Pumpkin. We had a pumpkin at a zoo once where the same thing happened.

10/24/2016 7:55:46 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I hope you contacted local law enforcement. When you consider the value of seeds, A HD winner that came from a really big HD winner, that was a serious crime.

10/24/2016 8:01:18 AM

aurora, IL

That is really sad. I am sorry that happened to you and your son.

10/24/2016 9:32:07 AM

Johnston, Iowa

Some people have no respect. Got my pumpkin home from the IA state fair and saw that someone had carved a penis into the top of it. Sorry this had to happen to your son's pumpkin

10/24/2016 10:34:18 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Idiots, sorry to see.

10/24/2016 10:41:11 AM

Colorado

Guess who never gets one of my pumpkins ever again. Sounds like it gets warm where theyre displayed-hard on the seeds if you want them back.

10/24/2016 11:36:58 AM

Home of happy lil plants

I saw first picture and I know what the 1399 did here this year pre fusarium and was about to ask for seeds until the next few pictures as may have been a fun one to grow.

surely someone there atleast got the seeds when they carved it right????

10/24/2016 12:20:43 PM

Rhode Island

that pumpkin your son grew is bar none the prettiest i have seen in many many years.he looked so cute and proud in the pictures as well.

shame on that bimbo who took it upon himself to crave your sons beauty. tell your son pap says he has what it takes to do it again----and if he ever wants a seed (size yes-pretty? probably not )just ask.
pap wallace

10/24/2016 3:28:03 PM

Vermont

That's horrible, I hope you talked to fair management!! I also hope he will continue to grow despite this bad experience.

10/24/2016 3:56:08 PM

norway , maine

Sorry to see this, your son deserves better than that.

10/24/2016 6:18:44 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sad deal, PE...best wishes to your boy!!!
& out of nowhere, comes the Pap...hope you take him up on his offer!! If not & son wants another Orange one...I have a few choices that I can send! Peace, Wayne

10/24/2016 6:23:54 PM

no more fairs for me heres my last one i entered



http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=230657

10/24/2016 6:59:27 PM

Sparta, NC

Not good Adam sorry to hear that

10/24/2016 7:39:18 PM

South Carolina

Thanks to everyone who either emailed, called, or posted today for the kind words and even offering seeds for my son Gavin!! It means a lot!!

To answer some of the questions, my wife and I spoke to the GM and the Assistant GM of the fair last evening and they were mortified about what had happened. They said they would do what ever needed to be done to make things right, but we were so upset we couldn't even think straight. They took the situation very seriously and we were told that charges could be filed against the individual/individuals who did it. We would never do something Ike that but they told us to sit on it for a day or two and get back to them on what they could to to make the situation right. There are some things you just can't put a price on... To me, it's priceless and no monetary value will ever make what happened okay.

There were some seeds Spence. All over the place from 2 different pumpkins. Which is which, I'll never know. How many were taken, thrown away, on the ground or in the dumpster? Hundreds...

Pap,
Thanks for the kind words and your offer. My son will definitely be sending you a letter and a SASB!

Thanks again everyone,
Adam

10/24/2016 9:47:30 PM

Mn

That's a bummer guys - tell Gavin if he grows a personal best next year I will buy one of the seeds out of it for $100 - he better start thinking about 2017 (and only if it's okay with mom & dad of course)

10/24/2016 10:23:44 PM

Ontario, Canada

Sorry to hear that. The people don't understand the commitment it took for Gavin to grow it.
That is one reason we don't enter in our local fair either. Nobody gives a crap.

10/25/2016 10:19:30 AM

Walhalla, ND.

So sorry to hear such a heart breaking story.

10/25/2016 11:15:28 AM

Austin MN

Tell Gavin ill give him free BigStem to help him get one over 1000 next year just shoot me an email :) plus I wanna see that q-tip guy pay up lol.

sorry to hear the situation happened to me when I was little and I still recall it to this day

10/25/2016 1:10:26 PM

Pinetops

Adam, tell Gavin that my kids, tj and marina ,and myself are very sorry to see those pics. Also, I have some very good orange seeds that I would like to send him,top shelf stuff.

10/25/2016 6:50:38 PM

Omaha, Ne.

so sorry to hear. get a hold of me if you want to try the 1399 again.

10/25/2016 8:09:52 PM

Arden, NC

Adam, I'm so sorry. I was at Elkin and I know how pretty that pumpkin was. As a matter of fact I have some pictures of Gavin with his pumpkin. If you would like them let me know and I'll send them to you. As to the SC State fair I would tell them three/four things. 1. you won't be back until you see written proof that the superentendant's handbook has been changed to reflect that the giant pumpkins and watermelons are to be protected and who's responsibility that falls on! 2. That they set up a secure area to display the pumpkins and watermelons that prohibits the public from touching the fruit. Three that the fair agree to pay up to 2 dollars a pound for fruit that is damaged during the fair through their negligence and mismanagement. 4. Additionally that your receive passes for the fair next year (if you want them). I can say I've been happy with the way the NC State Fair takes care of your pumpkins. The public can get close but not touch. They've been great(along with the growers who volunteer their time there) in keeping the kins and melons sound. The NC State fair also has a guard in the building in off hours so no one bothers the fruit overnight.

10/25/2016 11:51:52 PM

churchville, ny

So sorry Adam to read such a horrible story. I am sure that every single member of this site is just shaking their head when they read this and certainly feeling for your son.
A few years ago someone destroyed the 6 giants that my wife carved for in front of our house. Once the sheriffs, local TV and radio got involved, actually good things came of it. I am hoping that the same we be true for your family. We are all thinking of you and your son.

10/26/2016 3:22:14 PM

Wisconsin

So sorry to hear,what a beatiful pumpkin! He did a great job!

10/26/2016 6:56:16 PM