It was a day of big fun and big pumpkins.
Port Elgin’s 2009 Pumpkinfest got into full swing Saturday with weigh offs, activities, and exhibits taking place throughout the day.
Jane and Phil Hunt of Cameron are the proud new record holders of the biggest pumpkin in Canada, weighing in at 1,678 pounds.
Phil Hunt says his pumpkin is 10 pounds short of the world record, but he’s happy with the Canadian record.
The Hunt’s also won in the cabbage category at 61 pounds.
Eric Sundin of Stoney Creek won the award for largest squash at 1037 pounds.
The top watermelon title at 209.5 pounds goes Rob Thornton of Linden, Michigan.
A world record was set in the gourd category at 134.25 inches long to neighbours Art Johnston and John Butler of St. Thomas.
Johnston says growing a big gourd takes a little bit of luck, fertilizer, and pruning off the smaller gourds that show up on the vine. Butler and Johnston also grew the longest cornstalk at 253 inches.
A 254.5 inch sunflower stalk was grown by Dorothy Hain of London, Ont.
Chris Lyons of Scarborough wasn’t successful in the pumpkin category, but his 3.13 pound tomato took the top title in that category.
He says the growing process for a giant pumpkin starts in May.
Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario is the organization of people who grow big pumpkins and other vegetables.
President Kirk Chenier says even though the past summer was wet and cool, this year’s results are still impressive.
Saturday also featured celebrity seed spitting by elected officials and media personalities from the region.
The spitting champion is Georgian Bluffs Mayor Alan Barfoot at nearly 25 feet.
Bayshore Broadcasting News Reporter James Morgan was less successful at 10 feet, two inches.
Pumpkinfest is also on the small screen. Chair Brad Scott says a crew from the Discovery Channel was on hand to film some of what happens at Pumpkinfest.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith says Pumpkinfest is true community effort and all municipal departments work together with volunteers to get things organized.
Pumpkinfest continues Sunday with another round of weigh-offs.