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Rhode Island

THE SUBJECT OF A TRUE "WORLD WEIGH-OFF" HAS BEEN DISCUSSED BRIEFLY FROM TIME TO TIME ON BP BUT NOTHING CONCRETE HAS EVER COME OF IT.

THINK ABOUT IT FOR A MINUTE. EVERY GROWER GOES TO VARIOUS WEIGH-OFFS EVERY FALL. BE IT GPC, WPC OR INDEPENDENT.
MANY GO TO MULTIPLE WEIGH-OFFS AS WELL.

WHATS TO SAY A WORLD STAGE TYPE EVENT COULD NOT BE PUT TOGETHER ?
A "BY INVITATION ONLY" TYPE EVENT COMPLETE WITH THE WORLDS TOP GROWERS, PRESS,TV COVERAGE AND MEGA SPONSORS SUPPORTING THE AWARDS PROGRAM?

A@E OR ONE OF THOSE DISCOVERY PROGRAMS MIGHT EAT THIS UP. THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
IT COULD ALSO BE MORE THAN A ONE DAY EVENT AS THEY COULD COVER THE GROWERS BEFORE THE WEIGH-OFF AS WELL. THE BEST PART IS THAT THE EVENT DOES NOT NECESSARILY NEED TO TAKE PLACE IN AMERICA. IT COULD BE IN CANADA,EUROPE? WHEREVER THE SPONSORS AND FUNDING TRAIL LEADS.

WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE HEADING THIS UP IM TELLING YOU AN EVENT SUCH AS THIS WOULD GENERATE MEGA DOLLARS FOR THE ORGANIZATION/ORGANIZATIONS MANAGING THE EVENT,THE COMPETITORS, SPONSORS AND YES ALSO THE CLUBS BEING REPRESENTED THAT DAY.

EVERYONE WINS. THE HOBBY GETS MORE EXPOSURE, THE CLUBS AND ITS GROWERS GET MORE EXPOSURE, IT ALSO MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO GET TO THAT NEXT LEVEL OF GROWER SKILLS SO THAT THEY TO MIGHT BE A CONTESTANT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE?

FIRST YOU NEED TO ORGANIZE A RESEARCH COMMITTEE
SECOND YOU NEED TO FIND AN AGENT TO REPRESENT YOUR INTEREST
ONE WITH EXPERIENCE PUTTING ON SPECIAL EVENTS ,ETC.
THIRDLY ? THE DRIVE TO PULL IT OFF

JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT

PAP

3/6/2008 6:49:03 PM

Hamburg, NY

Pap,

I've been partaking of that food for more than 25 years - we need to talk! I will be in Niagara Falls all day Saturday.

Ray Waterman

3/6/2008 7:40:34 PM

San Diego

If it ever happens, I vote that the world weigh off is held in a warm southern place like san diego! It would be beautiful weather and us southern growers who have no prayer at a world record weight pumpkin could have fun seeing the biggest in the world :)

3/6/2008 7:45:16 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Very interesting! The invitation only could be a stickler. Some good growers would likely get left out. Also, if it was held in North America, the Europeans would be at a logicistical disadvantage. Alternatively, it could be a GPC event, where all GPC weighoffs(following the same rules) would be eligible. That way many growers from all around the world could participate. It also allows for a "darkhorse" to take top prize. Maybe Ray and Pap can hash this thing out some more, and bring some good ideas to the table. Any chance of the WPC and GPC joining forces?

3/6/2008 7:59:59 PM

Frankfort Oh

well If, such an event, would ever happen, it should take place, in the middle of the US,, that way all surrounding stateS, could take part,,,just a though,,,WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT HAPPEN,,,,but all growers should be allowed to attend ,,with or with out a pumpkin,,this could be a historic avent,,would be nice to have it like a fair event

3/6/2008 8:00:04 PM

Ohio

Yea, I liked that idea Ray had about the superbowl of weigh offs and put it on tv. Now that would be something to see.

3/6/2008 8:02:51 PM

Ohio

heres the thread ,http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=232938

you guys need to talk! Lets Getter Done!

3/6/2008 8:13:37 PM

Logan Utah

ya like a 3 day event with weigh offs seed extanges and bbqs and much more would be fun

3/6/2008 8:19:14 PM

Roanoke Il

pap Great idea a world weigh-off, Lets make the sport of pumpkin growing just like pro basketball or all star wrestling, maybe it will get like nascar. Why can't we just be happy with what made the hobby. A bunch of guys with bragging rights, That win a few bucks for are efforts. Everybody wants to be a rockstar OMG?????

3/6/2008 9:04:46 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Such an event would be monumental and very enjoyable. The idea of a single site weigh-off would generate mega bucks and great media coverage. I see at least a couple of flaws to the idea though:

1. How could any grower anticipate growing a slounger large enough to qualify and get the time off to transport and weigh it in a short amount of time?
2. Who pays to transport the pumpkins to a single world site? Sponsors? I can see sponsors going with current heavy hitters and pretty much squeezing the little guys out. We all know how much money and resources it takes to compete now. I can also see sponsors gaining the rights to the seeds.

I would quit growing when the fun is removed from this hobby. To commercialize it would take the fun out of it. I've been around long enough to see what's happened to baseball, football, and other sports. Speaking of which, let's not forget this is just a hobby about bragging rights...not a sport.

I normally agree with pap without hesitation. But I draw the line on this idea.

3/6/2008 9:57:51 PM

Minnesota

Should be held in anoka, mn the halloween capital of the world, or indiana or illinois where the pumpkin capital of the world is. I bet a major sponser will come along some day, everytime I mention the record is 1689 pounds now there jaw drops and they can't believe it.

3/6/2008 10:31:36 PM

[email protected]

The concept is great however would involve re-judging & broadcasting "already been weighed" fruit. "ABW" fruit aren't the most exciting fodder for broadcast but would be marketable to some audiences. It's Thursday night & the GPC Executive Board just finished dinner here in Niagara. We already have a full agenda but discussion of this nature deserves attention if we can assemble.

3/6/2008 11:00:15 PM

Santa Rosa California

the weighoff seems like an great idea but with such an collection of growers from all around the world there's so many people and its very spread out over such an great distance... so where could we have an weight off we can't have one in the middle of the atlantic lol. plus there is two hemispheres which does not help............



werid question but if there was an world weigh off lets say an california grower took an pumpkin over the serria nevada and the rockies would the pumpkin slipt due to the elvation change?

3/6/2008 11:06:08 PM

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Rather than qualify for this type of national championship weigh off by invitation, do it the same way an athlete would qualify for nationals in track and field - by distance/time. In this instance, OTT measurements. The qualifying measurement should be about the size of the 10th largest pumpkin - maybe 15th largest from the previous year, depending on how many entrants were desired.

3/6/2008 11:06:28 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Giantpumpkindude makes some good points. I wonder if large payoffs would make some of the top of the line seeds much more unattainable to the "average" grower. If a top grower produced an awesome seed, would he/she want to share with his fellow competitors, and run the risk of getting beat with that seed? There seem to be pros and cons here to think about.

3/6/2008 11:23:37 PM

Apple Hill. CA.

I think we should contact Michael Buffer.... "Lets Get Ready to Weigh Off"

http://www.letsrumble.com/

3/6/2008 11:59:24 PM

Rhode Island

a lot of hurdles would need to be overcome to make this type event a success,thats for sure.
most definately a lot of planning and thought would need to be in place.
the pros and cons of how the contest is run, who would qualify, how you would qualify,etc, etc, would all need to be addressed.
first and foremost if your show is centered around giant pumpkins then thats what should be on display.
a promoter or promotion company would be very interested in a weigh-off that would call the best of the best into competition.
there big advertizing/sponsorship draw would be a weigh-off featuring the biggest pumpkins in the world.
this is not a slight against smaller pumpkins ,just good business for this type of promotion.
as far as the money aspect of it? money and publicity is what makes the world turn. the most successfull clubs/sites and growers in the gpc are those that weigh-in the biggest pumpkins, year in and year out.
these successful clubs also give out the largest awards and attract the biggest pumpkins. thats just good competition and management.
look at how many people watched the gpc and the top pumpkins on gma last year? you dont think the station would have gone to the expense and time to show the smallest pumpkins in the world do ya?
we cant get tunnel vision when it comes to promoting our hobby( yes i said hobby )
a lot of growers would benefit from a contest such as this. a travel trip for them and their families possibly?, room and travel expenses reimbursment? plus compensation just for being selected ? the benefits list could go on and on.
im going to restate that a contest such as this is not to slight anyone.
its to build on what we already have
pap

3/7/2008 12:26:18 AM

Puyallup, WA

Pap is right....we all can think of some serious hurddles to overcome. However, he is also correct in stating that it would propel our "hobby" to the next level. That step would likely not be supported by all growers as it would definitely separate the "haves" from the "have nots". In our politically correct world of equality, I see some resistance ahead.
However, that's one thing I like about our "sport"...
"something stops when the tailgate drops"!

3/7/2008 1:01:47 AM

Logan Utah

I think it will invite tons of new growers to decide to take up the hobby imagine the expansion!!!!

3/7/2008 7:22:34 AM

Georgia

I usually always agree with ya Pap. But I just dont see the point. Theres already a World Weighoff and Ron Wallace won it last year and Joe Jutras won it this year...its who ever grows the heaviest pumpkin and gets the world record. A event like this would wreck the hobby I believe too much money being payed to the winner.

3/7/2008 7:49:27 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

It's a great idea but the single weigh-off site won't work. It would turn into a North American competition like the world series. With today's technology, you could simultaneously broadcast from multiple sites world wide. Imagine the anticipation. Crowds of people looking at a big screen, much like the finals of American Idol, waiting for the Europeans to weigh in at let's say Belgium, then the Americans, then the Canadians and so on.It would be much easier to organize and more people could compete. It would be a logistic nightmare trying to get the world's heaviest pumpkins together at a single site.

3/7/2008 7:52:11 AM

Hamburg, NY

Andy,

I somewhat agree with you on that. It is near exactly what the WPC did with a telephone conference call starting in 1983, way before the advancements we now have with TV and internet/digital/cell. The Southern Hemisphere had their weigh-off in April and that weight counted for the years largest pited against the Northern Hemisphere on the conference call in October. Just think of Dick Clark's Rockin Eve. There are many other events that play into this thinking. Superbowl, Iron Man, Olympics. It would need to be a package that could be promoted and then backed up with support and commitment, some of which I have not seen from the giant pumpkin growing community since the WPC days.

Ray Waterman

3/7/2008 8:47:36 AM

southwest MO

If it gets to commercial you will fracture the hobby. It will do the oppisite of whats intended and sour pusses will become many.
What if somebody upstages the whole event with a record breaker and rebels by not toteing the line of the establishment? Sound familiar? I was not around for the WPC days But I would prefer them left in the past.

3/7/2008 10:59:04 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

If u could get a freight company to sponsor it they could move the big pumpkins.

HAve the site travel, ex Rhode Island hosts it one yr. Then Jos's city hosts it the next.

3/7/2008 11:18:00 AM

Frankfort Oh

what happened to the 100,000 dollar prize that was to be paid out to the first 1500,lber?or did i not read that correctly?

3/7/2008 11:29:32 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Why not go the big bucks route the whole way?
Get corporate sponsors for the huge prizes. Each grower could get his or her own sponsor. The top genetic seeds could be sold for huge prices so only the growers with the most money could afford them. Make the big event "invitation only" so on the elite can enter. Or NOT.

Commercialization will only drive the "little guys" away and hurt the hobby, not help it. I think most people enjoy the local weighoffs and associated events. Anamosa has turned this into a 2 day celebration, and we draw thousands of people to town for it. I don't think that anyone around here would appreciate messing with that. Our goal for years has been to bring the world record to Anamosa, and by golly Don Young nearly did that for us! I think that a spirit of competition between the various weeighoff sites can help our hobby.

I like the idea of a TV link between sites on the normal first Saturday of October weighoff day. That would add to the local events, not detract from them. It would help the competitive spirit and not drive the less well funded growers away.

3/7/2008 1:31:45 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Yep, this could definitely happen. We should go for the best... ESPN!

Seriously, they already show things like "World's Strongest Man", all sorts of competitions... some I can't remember now. Wouldn't this be MUCH more interesting than yet another poker tournament???

I don't think you need to have weighed the fruits previously. There would simply be a minimum OTT measurement to get in. Most folks have the trucks these days to get them there... just make a prize package for the top ten generous enough and people will be motivated to show up.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle would be ESPN's October schedule... baseball playoffs, football, if it were live I don't think you could do it on a Saturday or Sunday. Perhaps early on a Saturday on ESPN2... not longer than an hour.

I think a central location is critical. One thing we don't want to happen is have a bunch of people show up, top prize goes to a 1690 pounder... meanwhile last week somebody weighed in a 1750 pounder somewhere else.

3/7/2008 1:34:14 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Ah, now I remember the parallel... World Championship Eating competitions, such as the Coney Island hotdog eating contest held every July 4th. ESPN devotes most of the programming day to this stuff!

The problem is, while ESPN has nothing else going on during the morning hours of Independence Day, there would be a lot of competition for programming time on a Saturday in mid-October.

3/7/2008 3:31:23 PM

Deer Park WA

How about a "Virtual World Weigh-off" video of the top 10 pumpkins from each site across the globe re-mixed and put into one video?

Just a thought...

Gerry

3/7/2008 4:13:59 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

After thinking it over, I like the weighoffs as they are. Some are GPC, some are not. If the GPC would like to bring more money in with a large sponsorship and TV coverage, I like the idea of coverage at the regional GPC weighoffs, with an emphasis on those with the largest pumpkins. That way the local weighoffs wouldn't miss out on the excitement of the top pumpkins at their site. The weighoff at a single location seems to have a lot of drawbacks. To sum it up, I tend to agree with what Iowegion posted. Just my opinion.

3/7/2008 5:41:06 PM