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Rhode Island

this fall the southern new england giant pumpkin growers core group are kicking around the idea of attending an out of new england gpc weighoff, and would suggest other clubs do likewise.
possibly the cooperstown ,parks garden center or southern ohio weigh-offs would be on the radar.

i think its a great way to visit old and make new friends while at the same time giving birth to another form of competition.

local gpc weigh-offs for the most part have pretty much the same competitors each year.this would change all of that.

what do you say? is there a little road warrior in you?
id love to see a couple teams from out of new england come attend our rhode island weigh-off.

there could be a gpc road warrior logo sweat shirt in there somewhere as well?

what do you think? are you up to the challange?

thanks

pap

3/14/2008 7:05:05 AM

Alex, IN

I like doing that Pap, Last year we attended Kentucky's first weigh-off, This year we are going to go to Kentucky again and possibly one in Ohio.

3/14/2008 8:29:36 AM

Massillon, Ohio

This is a really cool idea. Hey if people can get the time off work AND afford the gas (EEK), then it would be awesome!!!

And if my husband even thinks of doing something like that without me, we'd have words (LOL). As it was last year, he had to take a pumpkin to 2 weighoffs without me (commitments shamitments ya know. coaching a fall sport really isnt compatible with pumpkin weighoffs).

It will be neat to watch who is "up to the challenge" and seeing growers out of their "zones".

3/14/2008 8:38:42 AM

Somers, CT

If I say I am showing up at Cooperstown, Tom may get scared.

3/14/2008 8:55:06 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Me and my wife are talking about scheduling a Oregon weigh off this October.....any dates yet guys..., I gotta start planning....?

3/14/2008 9:07:17 AM

Frankfort Oh

It is interesting idea ,,but would, we have to be, a member of that club to weigh off ???I`d,, already, been thinking on the trip to Coopertown for two years now ,,plus this is the year ,,me and the wife are going to traveling ,,as of now, were going to try, and hit the Indiana FAIR,,and maybe cooperstown ,,wouldn`t mind hitting canfield either!!But I like the idea no,matter what ,,,Rob

3/14/2008 9:52:56 AM

PGVG GPC Weigh-Off at Fir Point Farms in Aurora, Oregon is October 4th. Come on out, Wiz!

This will give you a chance to scope out some prime Oregon farmland to grow pumpkins. There are probably 20 places for sale within a 5 mile radius of Jim Sherwood and I.

You know, it's funny Pap should mention this idea. I've been contemplating attending a weigh-off in the Ohio Valley region, but like Christy said, the fuel prices are a big drawback. So I was thinking it might be cheaper to pack my pumpkin as a carry on and just parachute it down to the weigh-off. Not sure whether the fruit would survive the impact, so I will probably try it on one of Jim's or Brett's big ones first.

3/14/2008 10:00:36 AM

[email protected]

Agreed, great idea, if you can afford the time and gas.

3/14/2008 10:06:14 AM

We have always had a special purse for the grand prize winner if they are a PGVG member, but you don't have to be a member to enter our weigh-off.

We will probably charge the Wiz $50 for directions to the weigh-off, though, which is more than our membership dues. Additional charges may apply if he gets lost along the way or if he loses his trailer key and we have to jackknife the truck to unload the pumpkins.

3/14/2008 10:18:35 AM

[email protected]

I know it's not GPC sanctioned, and it really should be hint hint
But I'm wanting to do the Terminator in Oregon in 08
Eddy

3/14/2008 10:44:59 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I'm hoping to head down to an Oregon weighoff this year. Watch out!

3/14/2008 11:05:33 AM

Western NY

We'll welcome you guys at Cooperstown anytime. Randy already posted a link for the discount room rate, it's going to be a good party again this year. Heard from a few folks last weekend who were thinking about making the trip.

A few of us NY guys usually hit Canfield each year, and everyone knows I like traveling to new weighoffs.

As a reminder, the map of GPC sites (with a few 2008 possible sites added) can be found here:

http://www.zeemaps.com/map.do?group=31672

It's based of google maps, so you can click on a marker, punch in your address, and get point to point driving directions. Don't try it if you're on dialup, though. I'm in the process of switching the marker information over from the 2007 info to the 2008 dates as they come in, but I expect to have all site info accurate by the end of May. You might also notice the 2 new southern hemisphere sites on there. South Africa weighs on Saturday, and NZ the following weekend.

3/14/2008 11:31:57 AM

somewere somehow il be at a few weighoffs this fall with any luck. 2500 miles with 1662 last fall in tow im geared up for any were now

3/14/2008 12:06:56 PM

Johnston, R.I.

VT would be a great place to go........

3/14/2008 12:40:13 PM

Team Munson

The first experience I had with a pumpkin caravan was on the west coast going from Seattle to San Fransisco in '99. This was a three day trip and one I will never forget what a blast!!! 2 weigh-offs and alot socializing with some of the best growers in the world (Mombert, LaRue, Daletas, Mettler, Hester, Holland, etc...) These growers know how to travel and have some fun.

We may not travel like that in my region but we have built up quite the road warriors here. With people like Rose, Werner, McKie, Brunst, Wolf, Razo etc... we have a great "road crew" here having alot of fun and camaraderie.

If you grow'em then show'em, go to different GPC sites with other growers in your area, get a trailer and car pool to save on $$$. I hit 5-6 GPC sites a year and some I go to empty handed I just love seeing new sites. We have discussed longer distance weigh-offs and who knows we might run into the RI crew sometime soon!!! See you on the road this fall!!!!

Dave

3/14/2008 12:43:40 PM

Waquoit Mass

ive always wanted to go to Windsor , the birth place of AG growing. with a move to maine and a new start in a few years, it will be my first trip. get that canadien beer ready danny lol.

3/14/2008 1:18:40 PM

Midwest

Let's get together every year for an all-out giant pumpkin grower exhibition/weigh-off! You know, have hundreds of pumpkins from all over drive to a select town/city and take over a football stadium! Events like this are held for other hobbies... like the classic/muscle car event in Pigeon Forge, TN in September. It be great to see hundreds or thousands of pumpkins in a yearly massive event!

3/14/2008 2:29:26 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Lol Nilbert....Im a member already of your club......right Jim? ....lol Outstanding....Ill let my wife know tonight that weekend may just be perfect....too......Nice! We will contact you all later for the tours....I cant wait to check it out.......do you have a tractor? .....lol

3/14/2008 2:31:11 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

LOL Rob T!

3/14/2008 4:08:39 PM

Dorval,Quebec

Abbynormal,Vermont is a great place,fun dinner afterwards at a local restaurant(customers had some BIG pumpkins to look at in the parking lot).

3/14/2008 5:33:15 PM

Ohio

Sure Pap, come on down to the Southern ohio weigh-off. Should be pretty big this year with all the weigh-offs on different weekends. You could bring 2 down, hit ours on Sat and hit oakland on Sun. I have extra bedrooms and a camper. You can store the pumpkin in the barn.That goes for anyone really.
I've been wanting to go to some different weigh-offs. This year may be it.

Danny Reeb

Oh Nilbert, I have about 100 acres to drop that pumpkin from the plane. lol

3/14/2008 6:20:08 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

I like the idea, but I want one of those road warrior rigs like in Mad Max where you can flip or damage the competition on the road. Who ever makes it to the weigh-off wins

3/14/2008 7:09:06 PM

Mulino, Oregon

Wiz, in Oregon all the properties come with a tractor! lol Heck, on the west coast we're all Road Warriors. We travel 200 miles to go to Shoreline and 900 miles to go to the California weighoff's. Now if we could just get you Californians up here we'd have a party! So Dick, just send out our t-shirts when they're done! lol Jack LaRue goes even further every year, sometimes making that California trip 'twice'!

3/14/2008 7:12:01 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

pap ill be doing the indiana state fair weigh off, kentucky gpc weigh off and probabblly allardt tennessee,might even be able to squeeze a ohio tripp in there so if the good lords willing and the creek dont rise ill be traveling better than 3000miles heck now all i gotta do is not blow up my punkins lol!

3/15/2008 12:44:03 AM

Rhode Island

in our case if we do this we would look for a larger vehicle that will carry two or three pumpkins. i agree gas is a concern so multiple carrier is a good idea.

3/15/2008 5:58:14 AM

Newmarket, NH USA

I love the idea. But gas at 4 bucks a gallon I will barely be able to afford Topsfield.

3/15/2008 8:31:43 AM

Sparta, NC

I'm looking at attending a couple out of state weighoffs this year. I'm hoping to go to Canfield and Pumpkinville.

3/15/2008 9:37:38 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Thinking of atending Kansas's weigh off. does anyone know when this would be?

3/17/2008 12:50:04 PM