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Pennsylvania

http:www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=15&p=319003

So the 1400# growers don't get jacket?They grew pumpkins less than 300# from the new world record.No pumpkin was 1799, so this give them a 75# penalty?Setting all that aside; look at all the areas in the world in which growers will never have a chance at a jacket simply due to their geographical location.Why not let who ever wants to purchase a jacket do so.Which would promote growing everywhere.Then award the appropriate patches to the growers.You grow 1000#, you get a 1000# patch and so on.You grow 3 totalling 3000#, you get a collective 3000# patch and so on.A patch for grower of the year and for any other divisional categories.Don't know which to feel sorry for, the growers or this structure.Don't get it.

10/13/2009 6:28:36 PM

Ohio

Not being smart here, but if you want all that join a club, they could do all what your asking. I know the OVGPG club does some of what your asking.

Its nothing new that the GPC started about giving out Jackets almost over 3 years ago, or is it something they just decided to change mid way through the season. its always been the same on how they give out jackets. What dont you get about it?

1700 lbs and up to 1799,,, jacket and 1700lb patch
1600 lbs and up to 1699,,, Jacket and 1600lb patch
1500 lbs and up to 1599,,, Jacket and 1500 lb patch

They really dont have to give jackets out if they didnt want to.Its just something the GPC put together for a bonus for growers who have grown the bigger sized pumpkin. I'm sure if they could afford it they would buy jackets for everyone. But that would be impossible for them.

10/13/2009 6:57:18 PM

Ohio

The year the 1689 was grown, it was like this

1600lbs to 1699 Jacket and 1600lb patch
1500 lbs to 1599 jacket and 1500lb patch
1400lbs to 1499 Jacket and 1400lb patch

Since the World record was broken this year with a 1725 lb pumpkin it moves everything up one notch now, and knocks the 1400lb category out to make room for the 1700 lb category.

10/13/2009 7:11:11 PM

[email protected]

Don't worry with issues like this I foresee that Obama will soon appoint a Pumpkin Jacket Czar and we'll all have jackets!

10/13/2009 8:13:44 PM

Pinedale, WY

It would be cool to make a universal patch design for the different weight achievments, such as 1,000#, 1,100#, and up. Then have one for state record holder. Then the clubs or people can buy them. But keep the jackets a special thing.

10/13/2009 10:00:19 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Reminds me of high school and letterjackets. Bars for years of service, stars for team captain, accept that was high school.

10/13/2009 10:52:11 PM

Upstate S.C.

Leave it like it is, I don't want anything GIVEN to me. The only way I want to recieve the jacket is by growing a BIG ASS PUMPKIN, that means earning it. If every grower in the world has a jacket then the only thing that separates big hitters from everyone else is A PATCH. To me that's not cool. It would be kinda like every golfer that has ever participated in the master's get's a chance to buy the green jacket, but the WINNER get's a little patch, not to smart. I will have one, one day. That day will come when I up my game. Troop

10/13/2009 11:21:34 PM

Ohio

Troop, I agree with you 100 % !

Trailor1449.5 said it best in the other post!
''I guess I will have to grow a bigger one next year.''

Which I definitely think he will grow one bigger next year to be wearing one of those jackets, and which is exactly why I think the GPC committee put this kind of jacket thing together in the first place, as a little added incentive to make you shoot for a certain goal so we can get these pumpkins as big as they can possibly can get.

Alot of growers will be wearing a jacket next after next season with out question in my mind, and just off the top of my head, Tom Privita, John Hopkins, among many others.

10/14/2009 3:32:58 AM

Rhode Island

the minute you lower the bar at any competition? the more you actually delute its value.

as brooks mentioned above, most individual clubs have various forms of rewards for their growers.

awards at the gpc level should always be special in nature.
hey if it was easy everyone would do it.

10/14/2009 8:09:37 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

We do here, local growers have their own rewards.

I suggested on other thread, maybe the GPC should consider selling a solid orange jacket with the GPC patch on back and all... as a fundraiser. The ones with the dark body and the weight patches you have to EARN, and there's always the chance someone moves the bar midseason. I'd like to offer that be discussed at Niagara.

When I get a dark body orange sleeve jacket and weight patch I expect it to be a long long time coming, and I will have many many tons on the compost pile by then.

[okay other post i messed up color scheme; it was dark body and orange sleeves for official, I was trying to suggest a solid orange colored one, different in color than the ones you earn]

10/14/2009 1:48:38 PM