Pumpkin festival weighs-in, breaks Atlantic record

The 24th annual Windsor/ West Hants Pumpkin weigh-off hailed a new Atlantic record this year and celebrated the official kick-off of pumpkin festival season.

The Oct. 4 event opened with a moment of silence in honor of the man who stared it all, the late Howard Dill. As well, Ken Best performed an original tribute to the Pumpkin King, "Pumpkin Harvest Time in the Valley".

The exhibition arena was crowed as judging commenced on everything pumpkin themed, from deserts to paintings and carvings. There were a number of hefty, squash, gourds and watermelons to be weighed but as a tradition dictates it was the giant pumpkins that stole the show, 32 entrants in all.

Last years pumpkin weigh-off champ, Jeff Reid of Waterville, placed fourth this year with a total weight of 1,211 pounds, just beating his previous 1,202 record.



Donna Hebb of Bridgewater place second at 1,281, closely followed by Ben Hebb of with 1,262.



The big winner was Clifford Piketts of Kensington, PEI. His giant broke the Atlantic record at a staggering 1,315 pounds and is also the largest pumpkin to be judged since the first year of the event.

The Howard Dill Award for best over-all pumpkin, was awarded to Roland Rodenizer of Newcomville. Although not in the top five at 1, 015 pounds, Danny Dill noted it was the one likeliest to have impressed his father as the ideal perfect pumpkin.

Dill himself, came in at 917 pounds, enough to win the Heaviest in Hants County award, which inspired some friendly sibling rivalry from sister Dianna MacDonald whose pumpkin weighed-in at 906.