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Deer Park, WI

Hello Fellow Growers-

Every year about this time, I use this incredible forum to humbly invite growers to Stillwater Harvestfest. We take pride in our beautiful location on the St. Croix River National Scenic Riverway, our well-run event, and a generous prize purse.

In addition to the above stated, the event has taken on larger purpose. Last winter, I had the privilege of attending the GPC big show in Niagara, where friendly competitive jibber jabber ensued betwixt us Northern folk and the all-star lineup of Ohio boys (Parks, Werner, Rose, Stelts, etc). Out of this dialog emerged an enticing high water mark too juicy to pass up: which site will be the first to sport a 2000lb Top Ten average?

Growing giant pumpkins competitively is a highly personal hobby. We strive to best our selves and the competition for bragging rights, cash prizes, and svelte leather jackets. Despite this solidarity, there's an emerging competitive and collaborative effort to be part of a winning team.

The GPC has recognized the top site for many years. And repetitively, the Ohio boys have laid claim to this award. My goal is to breath more competitive fire towards the top site award by proposing a race to 2000lb TTA.

As exciting as it is to achieve top bidding on a personal level, I daresay it is equally rewarding to contribute to a collective goal. The Top Site award is the Superbowl of our Hobby. Save for a world record, its hard to identify another accolade as significant as having your pumpkin count towards the #1 site in the world and etched into one of those beautiful pumpkin plaques crafted by the GPC.

9/18/2017 12:26:36 PM

Deer Park, WI

With that said, Stillwater HarvestFest & the St. Croix Growers aim to be the first site with a 2000lb TTA. As you make your weighoff location decisions, many will choose the site where the chance of top payout is the highest. I cant fault anyone for chasing top dollar for their efforts. However, I ask you to consider the value of having your name & fruit tied to the highest top ten average in the world.

In 2015, HarvestFest set the current high water mark TTA at 1813lbs. Josiah, Lorelee, Tracy Carter, Alex Bogie, Scott Steil, Adam Johnson, Stevens/Hopkins, Bill Foss, Pete Midthun, and Brie Quanrud still get to relish in the fact that their personal efforts resulted in the highest TTA ever recorded. Those memories will last forever.

I invite you to come help us make history.

9/18/2017 12:26:48 PM

Deer Park, WI

Lastly, the Stillwater prize structure has just been posted on the homepage of the SCGA website: http://www.stcroixgrowers.org/

9/18/2017 12:27:52 PM