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Ny

Does anybody know about the future of the CNY Pumpkinfest in Oswego, NY? I didn't think it was going to take place last fall. However, I found out that it actually did after the fact. I noticed that there was an auction night scheduled for them this winter, but then it was removed. Is there a chance it might still take place in the future? Or, has it pretty much ended? It was a really nice event.

2/27/2018 7:06:50 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Good question

2/27/2018 9:42:42 PM

Syracuse, NY

go here, weigh at the bottom, for the auction fact that it probably went through---it seems i recall missing up until after the second orange lot, which i wanted, lol, so, since it's listed and overwith...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=138

and also, for a more-direct weighoff inquiry:

http://www.nysgpga.com/about.html

it's still hibernation time so I'M not askin' em, lol!
it could also BE happening and then NOT, but IIIIIII also certainly hope it happens in '18 and every year(!);
any other weighoff will be at least 3 hours away for me and
until i WIN, there'll be no new rig for my travels (frown).

2/28/2018 4:18:22 PM

Ny

Thanks pumpkinpal2! To clarify further, prior to last summer I believe that Steve and Connie ran the CNY Pumpkinfest. I'm not sure about this past summer though. All I know is it somehow was put together fairly late and I'm not sure who pulled it off. As far as I know, I don't think the NY auction in Oswego was ever connected to the NYSGPGA, which is related to the listed links above. The weigh-off run by the NYSGPGA I know takes place in Saratoga, NY. The CNY auction that has been for the Oswego weigh-off in the past was listed as a second NYS auction at one point this winter, but I noticed that it was removed before the auction ever took place so it didn't seem to happen this winter. That's obviously not a good sign. If it does come to an end a very big thanks goes out to all of those that have put it together in the past.

2/28/2018 7:17:17 PM

Western NY

The nysgpga has little to do with the Oswego weigh off except to supply man power. The cny auction is what helps sponsor the weigh off and that is the one that didn't happen this year.
The Oswego chamber of commerce has always been the main sponsor it has dropped the ball.
We think that they outsourced it to a for profit company and it has been a total disaster the last 2 years. 2 years ago they didn't pay out at least 4 prizes including second prize which they paid the next April. The other prizes were payed for by the cny group after getting no response from cre8 which is "in charge" of festival. This past year they cut the prizes way back and many people didn't show up because they didn't want to encourage bad behavior. This past year 5 kins showed up and they still didn't pay out 2 prizes even though we tried contacting them.

Dont know if they are going to try and rent a couple of giants and think that is ok for the festival or what.

I wouldn't count on the weigh off happening because it's not up to any of the clubs to rescue this disaster, we have been trying for many years and this might be the end.
Its too bad because it has been a GPC site since 1994!

2/28/2018 7:28:44 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

First and foremost I want to say I am in support of having as many weighoffs as possible. They are the fabric of our community and short lived chances to show off and enjoy our hard work.

That said, two years straight there has been a late announcement weighoff in NY for the same date of our MAGPG weighoff in eastern PA. in 2016 it was Saratoga and in 2017 it was the extremely late Oswego Weighoff. Both of these weighoff locations are under a 4 hour drive from ours meaning any grower in between the two is going one way or the other. This is not good for attendance at either venue.

To put this in perspective it would be the same rough distance as having Saratogas weighoff on the same day as frerichs farm or for that matter having our weighoff on the first Saturday in October, the same day as Altoona. This was most certainly not to an option when we held our first weighoff in 2010.

Several people of influence including the northeast rep are aware that I have considered these decisions to be in very poor taste. If this happens again this year, then the MAGPG will either have to cancel our weighoff or do it without me driving the train. I’d rather road trip my pumpkin to NY than spend as much effort as I do only to get a half turnout in PA.

Sorry to be a storm cloud but this is the reality. However it ends up
Working out, we are all still the same friends we’ve always been. I just felt like seizing this opportunity to have a voice heard in the open forum.

2/28/2018 9:25:31 PM

Ny

Thanks for the honest and complete response Ray! Last time I was at the Oswego weigh-off was in the fall of 2015. It was filled with around 3 dozen giant pumpkins if I remember correctly. That year I don't think there was a NYSGPGA weigh-off. It sounds like the CNY weigh-off has become something pretty much unrecognizable since then. That's a pretty depressing and disappointing turn of events. I know so many people that have enjoyed going to multiple weigh-offs within the state over the years. Like so many others, I also have interest in attending more than one weigh-off each year depending on my productivity for any given summer. In the fall of 2016 I attended the Saratoga weigh-off which was at an amazing site and run really well. I believe it was the first year it took place out there as a new location. There were a lot of entries. However, the tough part is the really long distance drive for me to get there or to any other weigh-off now in light of the Oswego situation. I'll now be looking at a minimal yearly drive of 4-5 hours. Nevertheless, the drive will still be well worth it if it is a quality event. I'll just have to figure out which two weigh-offs in state and/or out of state that I'd like to attend this year then. Saratoga is a great option. I also participated in an out of state weigh-off last summer for the first time and I see that one as something that will be an annual part of my plans. I had no idea that there could be such a dark side to weigh-offs. We give it our all to grow something special each summer and it is pretty disappointing to hear that payment commitments are not followed through on. Thanks again for the memories Steve and Connie! Your hard work in the past will always be remembered.

2/28/2018 10:17:35 PM

Syracuse, NY

well, THERE'S the more-direct answer(s), at least, lol---
i'd be in favor of PNY1, PNY2, PNY3...the growers' clubs' names CAN be a bit confusing at times; all IIIII know is i got my 5th or 6th place $$ and then sold the pumpkin TO the weighoff for display (later=LARGE combo at BK!); i was VERY happy to see numerous kids AND adults leaning on and crawling on my pumpkin - it was the weighoff's now. also, because of the familiarity OF the folks on NYSGPGA, i figured they'd know alllll about the weighoff's plan, and it all worked out---eg

3/1/2018 3:05:45 AM

Western NY

And looking at Saratoga chamber and the great pumpkin farm websites both weigh offs in NY are on the same day, Sunday September 30th.

3/1/2018 10:25:39 AM

Edinburg

just a heads up Ray there might not be one in Saratoga having some troubles with date

3/1/2018 5:00:16 PM

Western NY

I am aware but the chamber website has it listed as the 30th.

3/1/2018 6:28:42 PM