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Location

Message

Date Posted

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

So what does it take to get a new Weigh Off started.
Here in Wisconsin we look for Community Events or Fall Festivals. Go talk to the organizers of the event to see if that would have a interest in adding a weight off to the event. Put a pumpkin on display at the Event to see if theirs interest.
Of course your going to need prize money, But it does not have to be huge.
Does anyone else have ideas or suggestions

4/12/2017 5:16:44 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

We are holding a spring growers forum to attract interest. the host site, that has the Fall Festival, is advertising it on Facebook and other social media sites.

4/12/2017 11:45:54 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Help, Help and more Help. You may be able to find a Site and some cash but without assistance you will have a hard time trying to do everything yourself.

4/12/2017 6:42:42 PM

Hamilton - New Zealand

Lots of help is the key, we're are going to get more people to help with everything next year so we're not doing everything.

4/13/2017 2:10:21 AM

Anoka, MN

There is a lot of work that goes into a weigh off and no one person can do it on there own as suggested earlier. I (we) have been working on our 1st annual weigh-off for nearly seven months now.

4/13/2017 7:40:51 AM

Rhode Island

it all depends on the goals for your weigh-off.do you want to someday be a major site or, are you content to be a smaller less loaded weigh-off?

some suggestions
1. need a committee or club with directors(strong leader)assign tasks to your committee
2. need a site(stand alone sites do not attract viewers)look for a location to piggy-back onto
3. need equipment for moving and weighing entries(donated fork lift or tractor is the way to go if possible---if not? use other means)
4. need money for awards (very difficult part) without it? participation dwindles and big pumpkins go bye-bye. you must find ways to raise funds. be it any way possible.
initially just prizes and ribbons would be satisfactory.
walk first - run later.
5. rent or borrow a good pa system (even a bull horn works)
6. sell food & drinks to raise additional funds needed
7. have a same day raffle- get prizes from local business donations
8. run a fair and honest weigh-off. the goal is family fun and atmosphere. not arguments and insults.
9. make every entrant feel welcome.

lastly? when at all possible try and have a sheltered weigh-off area in case of bad weather? if not? pray for sun.

pap

4/14/2017 11:06:09 AM

stoughton WI

As pap mentioned, the difficult part is money. If your trying to get sponsors, they like to see how donating money is going to benefit them. Set up a web site for the weigh off with links to other sites. Maybe some flyers. Maybe a banner with sponsors names. Other ways in which you can advertise and get there name out there.

4/14/2017 11:21:31 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Pap hit on ALL the elements necessary to make a weigh-off successful, and I say so from first-hand experience. It's a long tough row to hoe but well worth it in the end. Kudos to those who endeavor to make a successful weigh-off happen.

4/14/2017 12:20:02 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Glen, don't think anyone has mentioned this yet...and it costs money, but being an official GPC site (IMHO), is important. Peace, Wayne

4/15/2017 1:57:20 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

I guess this is kind of obvious but not mentioned yet. You need a certified scale to weigh the entries.

4/15/2017 8:03:44 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

As Jay stated...certified scales are a needed item. Call early to your state's certification folks, to make sure your scale...once in place, get's a certification sticker. In KY, we are lucky...and they come out the morning of our weighoff & do the certification process!!! Peace, Wayne

4/16/2017 1:09:35 AM

Rhode Island

many times if you ask certain scale providers they will discount and / or donate you a scale ---- just for advertizing with their sign by the scale.
also need a scale rep to set the scale up on something solid (not just soil) and balance it properly.

4/16/2017 12:21:42 PM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Weigh Offs are the Most important part of this Sport. Without them nothing happens.

4/16/2017 1:14:55 PM