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Roselle, IL [email protected]

As a grower, what would you want? We are kicking around dates here in the Midwest and prize structure. I want dates and a prize structure, etc, that will make you drive to Illinois.. Think BIG but realistic

12/19/2009 7:31:16 PM

I "drive" minimium 2.5-5 plus hours to the weigh offs I attend. To fit in with the tight weekend schedule in the season I would like to see a Sunday date, then I can haul fruit and save a trip south.
Actually the first Sunday of Oct works well, day after the Fest in Nekoosa, I would be halfway to your location.

As far as prize structure,,,bigger is always better ;-) Nekoosa puts $8,200 out in the mixed bag of payouts, we're hoping to see an increase there this year.

12/19/2009 7:53:51 PM

Woodburn, Indiana

We have back to back weighoffs (New Bremen and Hensler's Nursery) on the last Saturday/Sunday of Sept. Not sure if it would affect west of Indiana but it might be something to consider.

Big payout is a good thing. Add some fun and you could have yourself a good one.

12/19/2009 10:12:04 PM

Rhode Island

the first thing i would do is take into account how far away the nearest weigh-offs were and there dates.you dont want to be weighing off on the same day as someone 50 to 75 miles down the road.
i would try and not schedule a weigh-off on the sameday as my closest rival as this can only cut down on attendance at both sites.
id even go with an early bird weigh-off around the middle to third weekemd in septemnet if need be.you could also go later in mid october if your climate allows.
we of the sngpg always strive to make the growers feel welcome, creating a need and desire with them to return the following year.
cash prizes are a big draw but also a free gift to all weigh-off participants is very important.
one year we gave out free printed sweat shirts, another year we had a pap and joes big wheel that everyone got a soin on after weighing and all won prizes. we have also givem out free club hats and t-shirts at times as well. etc.
lastly?
run your weigh-off like professionals.treat the growers with the smallest pumpkins as well as you would the growers of the biggest.loyalty means an awful lot in this hobby.
pap

12/20/2009 7:59:04 AM

[email protected]

Likewise if you DO end up close in proximity then work with your neighbors to shoehorn the calendar to the mutual benefit of growers. CT & RI have managed to do this well.

12/20/2009 11:25:29 AM

first sunday oct prize will be what makes growers decide to drive or not also leaving pumpkin is a factor already have plans need fruit

12/20/2009 10:10:44 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

You have more weighoffs up your way, a Sunday weighoff with another one in the area on Saturday might be a very good draw for both weighoffs.

Plan ahead, and then plan ahead more. I always get keyster bit during last week.... [schedule of needful stuff being there or done always seems to be out of synch with reality]

A good prize structure will bring them in. :) Make it worth the gas, heh. (we are a late one, around 3rd weekend Oct, and a long ways to go period)

12/22/2009 11:03:24 AM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

I would look for a Festival Site. Go one line and see what towns and villages all ready have them. Wow a small town in your state calls themselves the pumpkin capital of the world. "Morton Illinois" They claim to produce 80% of the canned pumpkin in the world. Thats a great place to start

12/25/2009 1:51:25 PM