From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Parker, Co

We are sad to announce the death of Terry Pimsleur. Terry was instrumental in originating pumpkin weigh offs. To quote the San Francisco Chronicle" Ms Pimsleur practically invented the weekend street festival more than 30 years ago, with the first Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival. The fall event featutes music, art, food, and what developed into an internationally noted Great Pumpkin contest, a sort of Olympic event for the largest pumpkins ever seen on the fair circuit."
Terry was also president of the IPA(International Pumpkin Association) which held several weigh offs throughout the world. The winner received a trip to Japan. Our pumpkin growing friends enjoyed their trips.
Terry was a character, flambouyant and outgoing. She did much to promote pumpkin weigh offs, and she enjoyed being there. The last time I saw Terry was several years ago at the Borchard Farms Salinas California weigh off. She was having a good time although her health was declining. The Salinas weigh off was one of the sites of the IPA.
Terry, we will miss you. Pete and Cindi Glasier

9/27/2008 11:32:11 AM

Hamburg, NY

Sorry to hear. She and I go back to the begining of the World Pumpkin Confederation along with Howard Dill & David Combes. Hard to believe both Howard and she are now gone in the same year. She visited Collins NY in 1983 and stayed at my Mom and Dad's house. Another great promoter for our sport/hobby of growing giant pumpkins, now gone. May God Bless!

Ray Waterman

9/27/2008 1:29:55 PM

[email protected]

What a shame. The grower-hood has lost some real tenure this year.

God rest her soul & Bless her family.

9/27/2008 3:47:57 PM

Monrovia, CA

I am so sorry to here this. I met Terry back in the mid 90's at the Half Moon Bay pumpkin festival.. She and my parents were members of IFEA (International Festivals and Events Assoc) and Terry ALWAYS made sure I had the current year's Danville Arts and Pumpkin festival poster and t-shirt. She was instrumental in introducing me to the world of giant pumpkin growing. I currently have six of the pumpkin posters framed at home and will think of her even more when I look at them. Terry, I will miss you.
Michelle Lofthouse

9/27/2008 6:46:04 PM

Tenino, WA.

Terry had a great vision for the pumpkin growing world. She made our trip to Japan one of many memories and good friends. Terry's dedication to the sport of growing and showing pumpkins was tremendous. We will all miss her. Jack and Sherry LaRue

9/27/2008 9:26:20 PM

Washington State

Terry was one of the pioneers in organizing Giant Pumpkin Festivals. Her events on the steps of City hall in downtown San Francisco, were very memorable. Terry would often take all the competitors to a restaurant after the weigh-off. Terry hosted growers from Japan each year and was well known and admired by growers and organizers in that Country. Terry and I traveled together to Japan in 1994 and she was greeted as a major celebrity. I will miss her for her great smile, her devotion to the sport, and for her friendship.

Joel Holland

9/28/2008 10:49:02 AM

ordinary,VA

so very sad to hear the passing of yet another giant pumpkin legend.my condolence go out to her friends and family.
I never met Terry but it looks to me the sport of giant pumpkin growing world benefited tremendously from her vision and fortitude.

9/28/2008 11:24:14 AM

Napa Valley, CA

Every year when our Japanese growing friends visited the Borchard Farms Weigh-Off, Terry would bring them up on stage and introduce them to the California growers and make them feel very welcome.
I now have seveal good growing friends in Japan, thanks to Terry's efforts in promoting giant pumpkins. She was one of a kind.
God bless you Terry, we will miss you.
George Webster

9/28/2008 10:26:13 PM

Napa Valley, CA

I posted a photo of Terry in the photo gallery. Here's the link
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/DisplayPhoto.asp?pid=5954&gid=-19876

9/29/2008 7:59:50 PM