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Pleasant Hill, Or

PGVG Patch Tour August 9th 2008

The Southern Willamette Valley is the destination of this year’s PGVG patch tour. The area around Pleasant Hill Oregon is no stranger to giant pumpkins, producing 2 of the 3 all time heaviest pumpkins in Oregon and Washington, and home to Steve Daletas, 2003 World Record Holder. Is there something magical in the soil, or is it really the “banana belt” of the PNW as some would have you believe? Come tour with us and find out, and discover for yourself what makes this the hottest place to grow a giant pumpkin in Oregon.

This promises to be a very special event, as Steve has opened his patch for touring for the first time. Steve is widely considered one of the greatest growers in the World, so see for yourself how he consistently grows some of the largest fruit year after year.

We will also be touring the patch of Thad Starr, who grew the first pumpkin over 1500#’s in the PNW and surprised all to win the HMB contest. This will be his third year growing, so the pressure is on him prove that his 2007 accomplishments weren’t just luck. You can be one of the first to see what he has lurking in his patch, and if he will again blow away the competition at the next weigh-off.

What would a patch tour be without touring the patch of a rookie? Can there be any finer initiation into this incredible hobby than having all of your competition parade through your patch? The patch of Dan Orleck will be on the tour as well. Word has it that he has been bitten pretty bad by the Giant Pumpkin Bug, so it might be wise to see what cards he holds before he can surprise us at the weigh-off. Lets hope that he can’t grow a pumpkin as well as be brews beer, or we will all be in trouble! Sorry Dan, but you are not off of the hook with just a patch tour. He has agreed to make a few special home brews for the picnic later, so we can judge for ourselves if we have anything to worry about.
Continued...

7/11/2008 1:05:50 PM

Utah

The day’s schedule;


9:30-10:15. Dan Orleck’s patch. Coffee and snacks will be available to get us off to a good start.

10:30-11:45 Thad Starr’s patch

12:00-1:00 The Grande Finale! The one and only patch of Steve Daletas.


A catered BB’Q lunch will finish the day at Steve’s place. Expect a fun filled day with a few games, the opportunity to learn and share with your fellow growers and see just what the Southern Willamette Valley boys are doing to grow their monster fruit.


We have a few other treats lined up for anyone interested in spending more time in the Southern Willamette Valley. Saturday evening, after the patch tour, we have secured a special private tour of one of Oregon’s best Micro Breweries. Though Ninkasi is fairly new to the scene in the microbrewery rich State of Oregon, they have even the most calloused critic singing their praise as a “giant” in the micro industry. Expect quaffing a few tasty brews, and none of that sissy stuff either. A few of their better known offerings are; Total Domination IPA , Tricerahops Double IPA, Quantum Pale Ale and Believer Double Red.

We will be floating the mighty McKenzie River Sunday. We have several drift boats and rafts available, so hopefully we can fill them up for a fun day floating, fishing and eating with none other than Stevereno as our guide. It probably will be best if you get in line early, because rumor has it that Thad will be piloting a boat as well, so Steve’s boat will fill up fast! If you plan to fish, a valid Oregon fishing license will be required, so plan ahead. If any of you are experienced rowers, tell us! We’d love to give you the chance to row on one of the most beautiful rivers in the West, or East for that matter!

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7/11/2008 1:40:04 PM

Utah

Information for out of towner’s; for those of you flying in, Portland International Airport (PDX) has the most and probably the cheapest flights. It is located approximately 130 miles north of Pleasant Hill. But it is worth your time to check into flights directly into Eugene (EUG), as they are competitive, and will save you the time of driving in.

I have not been able to secure any group pricing for hotels as of yet. With the Olympic Trials in town, the hotels don’t want to try to schedule beyond that. We should be able to secure some sort of group rates if we get enough people requiring a room, so please get back to me and I will line up Hotel rooms.


Directions to patches will be available soon! Email me with questions

[email protected]

Hope to see you there.

Thad Starr


Wow, that was long...

7/11/2008 1:40:26 PM

Utah

sounds fun I wish I could make, I'd love to see those patches ! - but I can't. :(

7/11/2008 1:41:36 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Do you think they'll let me bring a shovel full of your soil back on the plane?

7/11/2008 3:01:57 PM

Klickitat Washington

This may be a dumb question but do you half to be a PGVG member to go on the patch tour. Thank You Duane

7/12/2008 2:16:05 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

I dont believe so Duane, I think the more the merrier.

7/14/2008 12:13:19 AM

Mulino, Oregon

No Duane you don't have to be a member to attend. The only thing we ask is that non-members pay for lunch, around $10-$15. Hope to see you there!

Jim Sherwood

7/14/2008 6:37:24 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

Thank you Jim

7/14/2008 8:00:21 PM