Gourd almighty: Marshfield man wins top prizes in giant pumpkin weigh-off
$950 winnings 'will definitely pay for some fertilizer,' says Mark Tremere
Mark Tremere will have some extra money to help with farming costs after winning the top prizes in the 31st annual P.E.I. Giant Pumpkin and Squash Weigh-off Saturday in Summerside.
The Marshfield, P.E.I., man won $750 for his pumpkin, which tipped the scales at 668 kilograms (1,473.5 pounds). He got another $200 for his first-place squash, which came in at 361 kilograms (796.6 pounds).
"That's my personal best, for sure," he said. "It will definitely pay for some fertilizer."
About 20 people entered the competition. Eddy Shaw, who set the P.E.I. record with an 802-kilogram pumpkin in 2018, did not enter this year.
Despite the rainy weather, more than 100 people gathered to watch the event, held at Kool Breeze Farms. They watched excitedly and cheered as each gourd was placed on the scale and the weight was announced.
Tremere said he was "ecstatic" to see his prized pumpkin pay off.
"The colour was good, the growth was great," he said. "It didn't pollinate early enough for me so I might try some different seed next year, but I'm happy with this guy, for sure."
Luke Vessey, the defending champion and president of the P.E.I. Giant Pumpkin Growers Association, said he looks forward to the event every year.
"I've always been fascinated just how quickly they grow and how big you can really get them. Every year you're pushing yourself and challenging your own records and it's really fun."
He said P.E.I. has applied to become part of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, which could attract more competitors from off-Island in the future.
With files from Laura Meader